Meet PLOS Climate Academic Editor Florian Egli

We spoke with PLOS Climate Academic Editor Florian Egli, Senior Researcher and Lecturer at ETH Zurich in Switzerland.

How did you end up in your field of research?

Understanding how societies and economies change fascinated me from early on. Now, I am investigating how this change can happen quicker and more permanently in the context of climate policy with a great team of colleagues. We place a particular emphasis on investments because the required sums to transition at the necessary speed are massive.

Could you tell us about what you’re currently working on?

There is so much to talk about! One fascinating project investigates current investment deals in nature and biodiversity and the extent to which they actually deliver what is promised.

What do you see as the most pressing priorities for climate research? And for climate action?

We need to understand better how to forge the coalitions of the willing to drive political and societal change for a climate-compatible system. In my opinion, this requires social science with a deep understanding of technology because technology drives so much change we are seeing.

Why did you decide to join PLOS Climate’s editorial board?

A healthy climate is a public good – just like research should be to be most effective. Making great climate research available open access is critical to empower us all to engage in climate policy and action.

Why do you see Open Access/Open Science as important?

Providing access to knowledge in a more equitable manner is key in a world where the knowledge frontier moves fast. Particularly in a field like climate research, where every human being is concerned, we should strive to make new knowledge accessible as quickly and easily as possible.