Dr. Corinna Fischer
Dr. Corinna Fischer
Dr. Corinna Fischer

Dr. Corinna Fischer

Senior Researcher
Sustainable Products & Material Flows

Special Expertise

Key research activities: sustainable consumption and products

Topics:

  • Energy efficient products
  • Policy concepts and instruments, especially standards and labelling
  • Consumer perspective and behaviour

Methods:

  • Qualitative Social Research (focus groups, interviews)
  • Survey Research

In the topic of energy efficient products, I am concerned with policy concepts, stakeholder processes and consumer representation in the framework of the EU directive on Ecodesign and Labelling and the German label “Blauer Engel”. So far, I have mainly covered the product groups of cooling appliances, washing machines, TVs, boilers and combi boilers, and water heaters.

I conducted research on psychological and social determinants of (non-) sustainable life and consumption styles (environmental psychology, research on milieus and lifestyle, technology and practices of everyday life, political participation) and on policy instruments and packages addressing this behaviour.

Key Projects

  • Common appliance policy – All for one, One for all – Energy Labels (ComeOn Labels) (project management)
  • Energy efficient climate protection for products
  • Preparatory Studies for Eco-design Requirements of Energy related Products (Lot C: Stakeholder representation: Consumers), see www.eupconsumer.eu

Professional Training and Career

  • Since 2010: Researcher at the Öko-Institut, Sustainable Products & Material Flows division
  • 2009 – 2010: Parental leave
  • 2008 – 2009: Policy Officer Energy Efficient Products and Standardisation, Federation of German Consumer Organisations, Berlin
  • 2002 – 2008: Researcher, Environmental Policy Research Centre at the Freie Universität Berlin. Project „Transformation and Innovation in Power Systems“
  • 1996 – 2002: Ph.D. thesis entitled „Motivation of young Eastern Germans for participation in an environmental association“ at the Freie Universität Berlin and Technical University of Chemnitz
  • 1999 – 2000: Researcher at the Deutsches Hygiene Museum of Dresden; organisation of the symposium “New Paths towards Sustainable Consumption”
  • 1996 – 2005: Freelance activity in environmental policy research and consulting, in political training of adolescents and young adults, and in coaching and facilitation
  • 1990 – 1996: Studies of political sciences and psychology at the Philipps-Universitat Marburg and the Freie Universität Berlin; degree in political sciences in 1995

Language Skills

English, French