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Isa­bel Froes

Senior Advisor

Subjects
Co-creation Design Innovation Entrepreneurship Sustainability Green transition

Primary research areas

Sus­tain­able In­nov­a­tion and Sys­tem­ic Trans­itions
Re­search­ing frame­works for sus­tain­able in­nov­a­tion, stra­tegic trans­itions, and re­si­li­ence build­ing. Fo­cus areas in­clude so­cio-tech­nic­al sys­tems, gov­ernance mod­els, and policy-driv­en change to sup­port strong so­cial and en­vir­on­ment im­pact.
Cir­cu­lar Eco­nomy, Re­gen­er­a­tion, and Policy In­nov­a­tion
In­vest­ig­at­ing cir­cu­lar eco­nomy strategies, re­gen­er­at­ive sys­tems, and be­ha­vi­or­al change. This in­cludes de­vel­op­ing busi­ness mod­els and toolkits that align with EU Green Deal pri­or­it­ies and foster sus­tain­able pro­duc­tion and con­sump­tion.
Stake­hold­er En­gage­ment, Co-Cre­ation, and Gov­ernance
Design­ing multi-stake­hold­er frame­works for cit­izen-led in­nov­a­tion, policy co-cre­ation, and par­ti­cip­at­ory gov­ernance. Ap­plic­a­tions span urb­an mo­bil­ity, sus­tain­able food sys­tems, and cli­mate ad­apt­a­tion ini­ti­at­ives, etc.
Ex­per­i­en­tial Learn­ing, Design Think­ing, and Sustain­ability Ped­agogy
Cre­at­ing prac­tice-based, trans­dis­cip­lin­ary learn­ing en­vir­on­ments that in­teg­rate design think­ing and real-world chal­lenges. Fo­cused on ca­pa­city build­ing for re­spons­ible lead­er­ship and sys­tem­ic change.

Co-Cre­at­ing Sys­tem­ic, Re­gen­er­at­ive Solu­tions for Re­si­li­ent Fu­tures

My research aims to support the development of circular economy solutions, inclusive innovation, and resilient communities. Using participatory and ethnographic approaches, I work with diverse stakeholders, citizens, businesses, and policymakers, to co-create strategies for sustainable urban systems, food resilience, and climate adaptation. These efforts seek to connect research and practice in ways that align with the national and international strategies and goals, such as UN SDGs and the EU Green Deal.  

I have led and collaborated on both national and international research projects funded by Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, contributing to governance models, behavioral toolkits, and business frameworks that help organizations navigate sustainability transitions. This work builds on collective expertise and shared commitment to policy innovation and social inclusion. Alongside research, I enjoy developing experiential learning environments and community-driven initiatives such as Permahaven and the Women Makers Network, which aim to foster responsible management, creativity, and societal impact in line with CBS’s mission.

Publications

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2026

Regenerating Learning

Permaculture for Sustainability Learning at Business Schools and Beyond

Ma­ri­bel Bla­sco, Associate Professor

Isa­bel Fro­es, Senior Advisor

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December 2025

Making Last Mile Logistics Models Aware of Customer Choices, Demand Sustainability and Data Economy

Katharina Beck

Javi Esquillor

Mohammad Mahdi Zarei

Isa­bel Fro­es, Senior Advisor

Isa­bel­la Hauswald, Research Assistant

Ama­lia Gi­annakopoulou, Academic Officer

Heike Flämig
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Recent research projects

CIR4FUN

Trans­form­ing the fur­niture in­dustry by ap­ply­ing cir­cu­lar eco­nomy prin­ciples to en­hance sustain­ability and re­source ef­fi­ciency.
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VIS­ION4FOOD

De­vel­op­ing in­nov­at­ive gov­ernance mod­els to im­prove the sustain­ability and re­si­li­ence of European food sys­tems.
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SENSOPAD

Im­ple­ment­ing ad­vanced tech­no­logy for early de­tec­tion of en­do­met­ri­os­is, pro­mot­ing wo­men’s health and well­being.
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P2GreeN

Driv­ing cir­cu­lar nu­tri­ent re­cov­ery in agri-food sys­tems through stake­hold­er col­lab­or­a­tion and policy in­nov­a­tion.
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DE­CAR­BOMILE

De­car­bon­iz­ing last-mile lo­gist­ics with new de­liv­ery mod­els and gov­ernance frame­works to re­duce urb­an emis­sions.
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PERMA­HAVEN

Es­tab­lish­ing a per­ma­cul­ture garden to foster sustain­ability learn­ing and com­munity well­being.
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