Jac­ob Has­sel­balch

My research examines how societies can break free from unsustainable economic models and pursue credible pathways toward sustainability. I focus on three interrelated areas: green economic planning, which considers how states, markets, and finance can be coordinated to accelerate decarbonization; transition expertise, which highlights the role of professional knowledge, networks, and authority in shaping sustainability trajectories; and alternative organizing in the plastic crisis, which reveals how grassroots initiatives, activist networks, and businesses experiment with novel approaches to circularity and waste reduction. 

What drives me is the conviction that alternatives already exist in abundance—often in overlooked corners of society. From activist campaigns to experimental business models and public sector innovations, these initiatives embody creative ways of thinking about collective futures. By studying them, I seek to amplify their relevance and make visible the diversity of pathways available.