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Kiel Institute Researcher

Dr. Finn Ole Semrau

Kiel Institute Researcher

Dr. Finn Ole Semrau

Research Center

Dr. Finn Ole Semrau is a postdoctoral researcher and Deputy Research Head of the Industrial Policy Lab at the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. His work focuses on industrial policy, especially its green transition, as well as global value chains, foreign direct investment, and green innovation.

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.

He combines academic research with strong policy engagement. His work has informed studies and advisory contributions for institutions such as the European Parliament, UNIDO, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, and the International Coffee Organization. During a research stay at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC Seville), he further strengthened his focus on the interface between research, industrial policy, and economic transformation.

Alongside his academic career, he has worked as an independent consultant in monitoring and evaluation in development cooperation since 2016 and has gained research and project experience in countries including Ireland, Brazil, Italy, Spain, Mozambique, and Kenya.

Topics

Sustainable DevelopmentAfricaClimateEmerging Markets & Developing CountriesGlobalizationInnovation and Structural Change

Main research interests

  • Green Industrial and Innovation Policy
  • Scale-up of the Hydrogen Economy
  • Sustainable Development and Trade
  • Development and Technology in Africa
  • Global Value Chains and Social Responsibility

Dr. Finn Ole Semrau is a postdoctoral researcher and Deputy Research Head of the Industrial Policy Lab at the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. His work focuses on industrial policy, especially its green transition, as well as global value chains, foreign direct investment, and green innovation.

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.

He combines academic research with strong policy engagement. His work has informed studies and advisory contributions for institutions such as the European Parliament, UNIDO, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, and the International Coffee Organization. During a research stay at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC Seville), he further strengthened his focus on the interface between research, industrial policy, and economic transformation.

Alongside his academic career, he has worked as an independent consultant in monitoring and evaluation in development cooperation since 2016 and has gained research and project experience in countries including Ireland, Brazil, Italy, Spain, Mozambique, and Kenya.

  • Project

    19.08.2024

    Global Producers in China: Empirical Evidence on FDI, Product-Mix and Emissions

    Analyzing the link between foreign investment and environmental costs, focusing on firms – domestic and foreign multinational enterprises operating in…

  • Project

    01.01.2023

    Production facility

    Industrial Policy Lab

    The project is dedicated to evidence-based and policy-relevant analysis of industrial policy measures, with the goal of providing well-founded…

  • Project

    01.08.2022

    H2ignite – Igniting H2 Transport Innovation Ecosystems in the North Sea Region

    H2ignite aims to foster cross-sector collaboration to identify and overcome obstacles to the deployment of green hydrogen value chains for heavy-duty…

  • News

    19.03.2026

    Automated Robot Arm Assembly Line Manufacturing. Modern Electric Car Smart Factory.

    The EU Industrial Accelerator Act: A Call for a more forward-looking strategy

Upcoming Events

Past Events

  • 18 – 19 Dec

    2025

    Workshop

    Aarhus — Kiel Workshop 2025

In the News

Research Center & Groups

  • Research Group

    Innovation and International Competition

  • Research Center

    Trade