Dr Mariya Riekkinen is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Climate+ Co-Centre at Atlantic Technological University (ATU), where she investigates the legal and governance dimensions of sustainable land use. Her research explores how law, public policy and environmental governance can support a just transition towards climate neutrality while balancing environmental, economic and social priorities.
Dr Riekkinen has an interdisciplinary background in law, governance, education and social sciences, with research experience across Finland, Ireland, the Nordic countries and the wider European context. Before joining the Climate+ Co-Centre, she contributed to the Horizon Europe GoGreen Next project, conducting comparative research on climate governance, planetary health, biodiversity, water governance and sustainable urban transitions.
Her current work focuses on legal and policy frameworks for just transition, sustainable land use and public participation in environmental decision-making. She is particularly interested in how stakeholders can help shape fair and effective climate and environmental policies.
Dr Riekkinen has extensive experience in international research collaboration and has led or contributed to projects funded by Horizon Europe, the Nordic Council of Ministers, the British Association for International and Comparative Education, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills, and other organisations. Her work combines comparative legal and policy analysis with stakeholder consultation to inform evidence-based climate and environmental governance.