In this episode of the Business of Policymaking Podcast, Jana Javornik speaks to Janez Potočnik about his experience in the policymaking world across various national, international and supranational levels. They discuss the role of academic research in informing policy agenda and international policy frameworks, and offer insights into how academics can collaborate with policymakers. 

If you wish to get in touch about this episode, please contact Jana Javornik at [email protected]. A transcript of this episode is available. 

For more information about Leeds University Business School’s work with policymakers visit the website.

About Janez Potočnik: Dr Janez Potočnik became a Member of the European Commission in 2004, sharing the Enlargement portfolio with Günther Verheugen for half the year. After that, he was responsible for the EC’s Science and Research portfolio until 2010. Between 2010 and 2014 he served a second full mandate as a Member of the European Commission responsible for Environment.  

In 2014, he was appointed Co-Chair of International Resource Panel hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme, Chair of The Forum for the Future of Agriculture, and Chair of the RISE Foundation. He is also a Member of the European Policy Centre's Advisory Council, and a Partner in SYSTEMIQ. Since 2020, he has been a President of the ThinkForest, and a Special Adviser to the Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius. He is also Special Adviser to Hannover Communications. 

He has received honorary degrees from London Imperial College (UK), Ghent University (Belgium), and Aalto University (Finland). 

Janez has received numerous awards for his contributions to sustainable development, including: 

• The United Nations’ Champion of the Earth Award (2013) 
• The Catalan Association of Research Entities’ ACER Award for the visionary contributions and leadership that made possible the European Research Council (ERC) (2014) 
• The European Environmental Bureau’s Twelve Stars for the Environment award for his science-based approach to promoting environmental sustainability (2014) 
• World Economic Forum – Forum of Young Global Leaders and Fortune – Circular Economy Leadership Award (2015) 
• The Carlowitz Society’s Hans-Carl-Von-Carlowitz Award for courageous, open minded, and international work in promoting the idea of the circular economy in Europe (2015).