In this episode of The Green Transitions Podcast, Professor Brad Ladewig speaks with Professor Karen Hapgood, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia. Recorded in Parisduring the Franco-Australian Centre for Energy Transitionmeetings, this wide-ranging conversation explores the intersections of research, leadership, and collaboration across continents. Karen shares her journey from chemicalengineering and particle technology to senior university leadership, reflecting on how scientific curiosity, industrial experience, and human connection shape effective research ecosystems.

The discussion covers:

• How granulation and particle science link to fields like battery manufacturing and additive manufacturing

• The evolving role of universities in industry collaboration and why true innovation requires two-way respect and trust

• AI in research and teaching – its potential to accelerate learning and the widening skill gap between students and academics

• Insights into leadership, mentoring, and gender equity in engineering

• The importance of connectors and “super-introducers” inbuilding research networks

• Reflections on Australia’s rapid energy transition,rooftop solar, and hydrogen ambitions

• Practical leadership lessons, from early career advice to handling conflict and building positive work cultures

A deeply human and intellectually rich conversation between two long-time colleagues who began their journeys together at the University of Queensland and continue to shape the future of sustainable technology from opposite sidesof the world.

🎙️ Host: Prof. Brad Ladewig

🎓 Guest: Prof. Karen Hapgood, Swinburne University of Technology

📍Recorded in Paris, France

🎧 Podcast: The Green Transitions Podcast – Season 2, Episode 3

In this special solo episode, host Bradley Ladewig reflects on a thought-provoking debate between Michael Liebreich and Erik Rakhou on the question: “Will there be a hydrogen economy?” The discussion sparked rich conversations within the Paul Wurth Chair at the University of Luxembourg and inspired this episode exploring three key themes shaping the hydrogen transition today.

Topic Covered:

• Substituting Grey Hydrogen
• The Role of Blue Hydrogen and Waste-to-Hydrogen
• Ammonia as a Hydrogen Carrier and Industrial Solution

Join us on this reflection episode as we unpack the nuances, opportunities, and ongoing debates that define hydrogen’s role in a net-zero future.

🎧Podcast References:

• Cleaning Up
• Global Tales of Carbon Transitions

In this episode of Green Transitions, Professor BradleyLadewig speaks with Jaqueline Pinto, aleading legal expert in European hydrogen policy and regulation.

Jaqueline is a lawyer and researcher specialising in energy regulation and the legal dimensions of the hydrogen economy. She focuses on the development of hydrogen valleys—regional ecosystems that integrate production, storage, distribution, and end-use of renewable hydrogen across borders—and explores how EU and national legal frameworks can accelerate or hinder their growth. Herwork contributes to shaping policy instruments, certification schemes, and cross-border cooperation models that underpin the emerging hydrogen market.

During the discussion, Brad and Jaqueline explore:

• ⚖️ The regulatorylandscape for hydrogen in Europe, including the evolving EU directives, delegated acts, and national implementation pathways;
• 🌍 How hydrogen valleys can act as testbeds for integrated, multi-sector energy systems and cross-border governance;
• 🧭 The legal challenges of defining renewable hydrogen, ensuring traceability, and aligning withRED III and the EU taxonomy;
• 🤝 The importance of interdisciplinary collaborationbetween lawyers, engineers, and policymakers to ensure that Europe’s hydrogen transition is both technically feasible and legally robust.

This episode offers a rare and insightful look at how law and policy shape the real-world deployment of hydrogen projects — from local valleys to the European market scale.

🎧 Tune in to learn how Europe’s legal architecture is being built to support a decarbonised, hydrogen-based future.

------- Post-publication clarificationReference to Member States having to transpose Delegated Acts in the EU, should be a reference to Directives.

In the second episode, we talk with Joe Malago – the Technical Director (CTO) of Sales-Lentz, a public transport operator at Luxembourg and the Greater Region.

Nowadays there are quite many “hot” topics in the discussion of public and private transportation: starting from the [already widely available] electric vehicles to ethically oriented surveys on “how an autonomously operated car should act” – and in all cases, there are a plethora of opinions. We found out how all of these and more are approached in Luxembourg at one of the leading public transport company.

In this episode you will hear:
🔹 “How to turn a truck full of football fans into a successful and innovative business”
🔸 That autonomous shuttles are already running in Luxembourg
🔹 That electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses are rather complementary solutions than rivals
🔸 Is charging a bottleneck for electric busses?

🔹 The biggest challenge in operating hydrogen powered buses
🔸 What does the business need now?
Let’s find out together!

In this episode we talk with Thiago Campos – co-head of Green Steel at SMS group.

Conventional metallurgical processes and steel making in particular are known for their huge environmental impact and carbon emissions, it has always been an axiom.

But can you imagine that nowadays green metals production has become a reality?

In this episode we discuss:

• How the conventional metallurgical process looks like
• What are the differences between iron and steel (there is just one tiny difference, did you know that?) and that the conventional production process takes place in a furnace higher than a country house
• What is the meaning behind the color-labels for hydrogen and related technologies: Grey vs. Blue vs. Green Hydrogen
• How the “Green steel” technology was developed in Luxembourg

• And the biggest challenges for the industry and possible ways to address them

All these and more – in this episode.

Enjoy!

Get ready to embark on a journey towards a sustainable future with "Green Transition." In this trailer episode, we introduce you to the podcast, explaining what it will cover. We speak with people who build strategies, to discuss, compare, and interconnect visions of the green energy transition process and needs. Join us as we set the stage for insightful discussions, expert interviews, and the latest advancements in the energy transition. Tune in and be part of the movement towards a cleaner, greener planet.