Energy Policy

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Professor Aalto has worked as a visiting researcher in Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Japan, Russia, and as a doctoral student, in the UK. 

Aalto develops new approaches to energy policy research such as the structuration approach, contributes to institutionalist literature and seeks to build paths for an interdisciplinary synthesis in the field of energy research, in order to find solutions applicable to the ongoing energy transition. This incluces also the security dimensions of the transition. 

Aalto, P., Claydon, A. (2024) ‘The politics of knowledge in black carbon mitigation: Policy entrepreneurship of Finnish actors and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition’, Environmental Science and Policy 161, 103881. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2024.103881

Aalto, P. (2021, ed.) Electrification: Accelerating the Energy Transition. Amsterdam: Academic Press/Elsevier. 

Kotilainen, K., Aalto, P., Rautiainen, A., Kojo, M., Valta, J., Sovacool, B. (2019) ’From national lock-in to policy mixes for Nordic electric mobility: What can we learn to accelerate future transitions?’, Policy Sciences 52: 573-600. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-019-09361-3 

Kilpeläinen, S., Aalto, P., Lehtonen, P., Toivanen, P. and Holttinen, H. (2019) ’How to Achieve a More Resource Efficient and Climate Neutral Electric Energy System by 2030: Views of Nordic Experts’, Review of Policy Research. DOI: 10.1111/ropr.12347 

Pääkkönen, A., Aro, K., Aalto, P., Konttinen, J., Kojo, M. (2019) ’The potential of biomethane in replacing fossil fuels in heavy transport – A case study on Finland’, Sustainability 11 (17), 4750, 1-19. doi.org/10.3390/su11174750. 

Aalto, P., Nyyssönen, H., Kojo, M. and Pal, P. (2017) ‘Russian nuclear energy diplomacy in Finland and Hungary’, Eurasian Geography and Economics 58(4): 386-417 (doi: 10.1080/15387216.2017.1396905)  

Lehtonen, P., Aalto, P. (2017) ‘Smart and Secure Borders through Automated Border Control Systems in the EU? The Views of Political Stakeholders in the Member States’, European Security 26(2): 207-25. (doi: 10.1080/09662839.2016.1276057). 

Aalto, P. (2016) ‘Modernisation of the Russian Energy Sector: Constraints to Utilising Arctic Offshore Oil Resources’, Europe-Asia Studies 68(1): 38-63. (doi: 10.1080/09668136.2015.1113509). 

Aalto, P. (2014) ‘Institutions in European and Asian Energy Markets: A Methodological Overview’, Energy Policy 74: 4-15 (doi: 10.1016/j.enpol.2014.08.022) 

Aalto, P. (2014) ‘Energy Market Integration and Regional Institutions in East Asia’, Energy Policy 74: 91-100 (doi: 10.1016/j.enpol.2014.08.021) 

Aalto, P., Dusseault, D., Kennedy, M.D. and Kivinen, M. (2014) ‘Russia’s Energy Relations in the East and West: Towards a Social Structurationist Approach to Energy Policy Formation’, Journal of International Relations and Development 17(1): 1-29 (doi:10.1057/jird.2012.29). 

Aalto, P., Korkmaz Temel, D. (2014) ‘European Energy Security: Natural Gas and the Integration Process’, Journal of Common Market Studies 52(4): 758-74 (doi: 10.1111/jcms.12108). 

Aalto, P. (2012, ed.) Russia’s Energy Policies: National, Interregional and Global Levels. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.

Aalto, P., Harle, V., Moisio, S. (2012, eds.) Global and Regional Problems: towards Interdisciplinary Study. Farnham: Ashgate (re-published by Routledge 2016).

Aalto, P., Harle, V. and Moisio, S. (2011, eds.) International Studies: Interdisciplinary Approaches. Basingstoke: Palgrave. 

Aalto, P., Blakkisrud, H., Smith, H. (2008, eds.) The New Northern Dimension of European Neighbourhood. Brussels: Centre for European Policy Studies.

Aalto, P. (2007, ed.) The EU—Russia Energy Dialogue: Europe’s Future Energy Security. Aldershot: Ashgate/Routledge republished 2016.

Aalto, P. (2006) European Union and the Making of a Wider Northern Europe. London: Routledge. 

Aalto, P. (2003) Constructing Post-Soviet Geopolitics in Estonia. London: Frank Cass/Routledge. 

Aalto, P., Dalby, S., Harle, V. (2003, eds.) ‘The Critical Geopolitics of Northern Europe: Identity Politics Unlimited’, special issue of Geopolitics 8(1).

• Tampere University research platform 'Climate Neutral Energy Systems and Society' (CNESS)
• Tampere Centre for Security, Risk and Resilience (TASERR)

International Political Science Association: RC Political Elites, member of the board

Kojo, Matti, Ruostetsaari, Ilkka, Valta, Jussi, Aalto, Pami & Järventausta, Pertti (2022), From Acceptability and Acceptance to Active Behavioral Support: Engaging the General Public in the Transition of the Electric Energy System in Finland. In: Farid, Karimi & Rodi Michael (eds.), Energy Transition in the Baltic Sea Region. Understanding Stakeholder Engagement and Community Acceptance. London: Routledge, 111-134. Doi: 10.4324/9781032003092-10.

Fragmentation of the Inner Circle: Circulation of the Finnish Elites in 1991-2021. Scandinavian Political Studies (2021). DOI: 10.1111/1467-9477.12220.

Kotilainen, Kirsi, Saari, Ulla A., Kojo, Matti & Ruostetsaari, Ilkka (2021), From Energy Consumers to Prosumers – How Do Policies Influence the Transition? In: Aalto, Pami (ed.), Electrification. Accelerating the Energy Transition. London: Elsevier Academic Press, 197-216.

Aalto Pami, Ruostetsaari Ilkka, Talus Kim & Muth Carl. J. (2020), Energy Policies in the Context of Sustainable Development. In: Leal Filho W., Azul A., Brandli L., Özuyar P., Wall T. (eds) Affordable and Clean Energy. Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71057-0_10-1. 

From Consumers to Energy Citizens: Finns' Readiness for Demand Response and Prosumerism in Energy Policy Making. International Journal of Energy Sectors Management (2019). DOI: 10.1108/IJSM-11-2019-0001.

Political Consumerism as a Means in Influencing Energy Policy and Solving Environmental Problems:
The Case of Finland. International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment 2018; 3(3), 21-31. Doi:
10.11648/j.ijeee.20180303.11.  

Citizens’ Support for Rival Modes of Political Involvement in Energy Policy-Making. The Case of
Finland. International Journal of Energy Sector Management 12(3), 2018,
323-340. Doi: 10.1108/IJESM-12-2017-0005.  

Stealth Democracy, Elitism, and Citizenship in Finnish Energy Policy. Energy Research & Social Science 34 (2017), 93-103. DOI
10.1016/j.erss.2017.06.022. 

Levels Within Elites. In: Farazmand, Ali (ed.), Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public
Policy, and Governance. Springer International Publishing 2016. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-31816-5_45-1.

Vertical and Horizontal Mobility of the Finnish Political Elite. In: Karvonen, Lauri & Paloheimo,
Heikki & Raunio, Tapio (eds.), The Changing Balance of Political Power in Finland. Stockholm: Santérus Academic
Press 2016, 245-278.  

Elite Recruitment and Coherence of the Inner Core of Power in Finland. Changing
Patterns during the Economic Crises of 1991-2011. Lanham: Lexington Books 2015. 

The Changing Influence of the Finnish Parliament since the Early 1990s. In: Raunio, Tapio
& Nurmi, Hannu (toim.), The Serious Game of Politics. Festschrift for Matti Wiberg. Helsinki: Finnish Political Science
Association 2014, 177-192.  

Opening the Inner Circle of Power: Circulation in the Finnish Elites in the Context of Major Societal Changes 1991-2011. Comparative
Sociology 12(2013), 255-288. 

Citizen Involvement and the Role of Experts in Finnish Energy Policy-Making. International
Journal of Energy Engineering (2013), Vol. 3, Nr. 1, 12-22.  

Changing Regulation and Governance ofFinnish Energy Policy-Making: New Rules but Old Elites? Review of Policy Research, Volume 27, Number 3 (2010), 273-297. 

Citizens, Politicians and Experts in Finnish Energy Policy-Making. Energy
&Environment Vol. 21, No. 3, 2010, 203-222. 

Governance and Political Consumerism in Finnish Energy Policy-Making. Energy Policy 37 (2009), 102-110.

Nordic Elites in Comparative Perspective. In: Sasaki, Masamichi (ed.), Elites: New Comparative Perspective. Leiden/Boston:
Brill 2008. 143-170.  

Nordic Elites in Comparative Perspective. Comparative Sociology 6 (2007), 158-189.

Restructuring of the European Political Centre: Withering Liberal and Persisting Agrarian Party Families. In: Cotta, Maurizio
& Best, Heinrich (eds.), Democratic Representation in Europe: Diversity, Change and Convergence. Oxford: Oxford University
Press 2007. 217-252.  

Elites and Democracy: Are they Compatible? Comparative Social Research, Vol. 23, 2007. Editors Engelstad, Fredrik & Gulbrandsen, Trygve. Oxford: Elsevier jai Press. 265-274.

Social Upheaval and Transformation of Elite Structures. The Case of Finland. Political Studies Vol
54, Nr 1, 2006, 23-42.

Finland: From Political Amateurs to Political Class. In: Borchert, Jens & Zeiss, Jürgen (eds.), The Political Class in Advanced
Democracies. Oxford: Oxford University Press 2003. 107-123.  

Ruostetsaari, Ilkka & Mattila, Mikko (2002), 'Candidate-Centred Campaigns and their Effects in an Open List System'. In:
Farrel, David M. & Schmitt-Beck, Rüdiger (eds.), Do Campaigns Matter? Campaign Effects in Elections and Referendums. London: Routledge, 92-107.  

From Political Amateur to Professional Politician and Expert Representative: Parliamentary Recruitment in Finland since
1863. In: Best, Heinrich & Cotta, Maurizio (eds.), Parliamentary Representatives in Europe
1848-2000. Legislative Recruitment and Careers in Eleven European Countries .Oxford University Press. Oxford 2000. 50-87.  

The Anatomy of the Finnish Power Elite. Scandinavian Political Studies, Vol. 16, No 4, 1993, 305-337.