Birgit Kopainsky is a professor in System Dynamics at the University of Bergen, Norway. She earned her PhD in agricultural economics from ETH Zurich and a master's degree in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Zurich. Birgit leads the International Master Program in System Dynamics and is on the program board for the master in sustainability. She served as the first female president of the international System Dynamics Society. Her research focuses on using systems thinking and modeling for sustainability transitions, facilitating shared understanding among stakeholders with conflicting views. She has extensive research and project management experience in various sustainable development areas across scientific disciplines, geographical contexts, and societal actors.