Lefteris Topaloglou is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the School of Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, specializing in Energy Transition Policies & Developmental Transformation. Since May 2023, he holds the position of Director at the Institute for Energy Development & Transition in the Post-Lignite Era, part of the PAKEK THIMENOS of the University of Western Macedonia. He is also the head of the ENTRA Lab, the Laboratory of Energy Transition and Developmental Transformation, within the Department of Chemical Engineering.
His primary degree is in Political Science and International Studies, obtained in 1988. He earned a Master’s degree (M.Sc.) in 2001, focusing on Regional Development and Spatial Planning. His Ph.D. dissertation, completed in 2008, is titled: “Borders and European Integration: Space, Economy & Policies,” with a focus on the nature of borders and the dynamics of border phenomena.
His current research interests center on just energy transition, spatial justice, place-based approaches, and issues concerning the governance of energy transition. His teaching career began in 2001 and has continued uninterrupted to this day, involving both undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
His research experience spans 28 projects, most of which have been funded by the European Commission (FP5, FP6, FP7, HORIZON, ESPON) focusing on borders and transition. He serves as the scientific director for three of these projects. His academic contributions include co-editing book publications, publishing in collective volumes, scientific journals, and presenting numerous papers at peer-reviewed scientific conferences.