Dr. Finn Ole Semrau

Dr. Finn Ole Semrau is a postdoctoral researcher and Research Head of the Industrial Policy Lab at the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. His work explores the green transition of industry, with particular expertise in green innovation, firms’ participation in global value chains, and the role of public policy in supporting structural change.

A focus of his work is the global take-off of hydrogen, the transformation of energy-intensive industries, and current debates on European industrial policy, including the Industrial Accelerator Act. More broadly, he examines how decarbonisation, competitiveness and industrial restructuring interact in a changing global economy.

His research has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals including the Journal of Development Economics, Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Journal of International Business Policy, Industry & Innovation, and Technological Forecasting & Social Change. In 2024, he received the Kiel Institute’s Best Paper Award together with Dr. Frauke Steglich.

His work combines academic research with policy engagement and public debate. It has informed contributions for institutions such as the European Parliament, UNIDO and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. He has also contributed to media coverage on industrial transformation, steel, wind energy and environmental policy in outlets such as Süddeutsche Zeitung, Deutschlandfunk, MDR, RBB and EinsLive.

• Green Industrial Transition
• Green Innovation
• Global Value Chains
• Hydrogen Economy
• Industrial Decarbonisation
• European Industrial Policy