Ilona Bontenbal
Ilona Bontenbal is a postdoctoral researcher at LUT University in Finland, specializing in the inclusion and employment of marginalized groups, with a particular focus on migrants. Within the TAIMI research project, she serves as project manager for the LUT team and leads Work Package 2, which concentrates on the integration, inclusion, and retention of migrants.
Her current research also addresses climate adaptation, the green transition, and climate migration. She is the principal investigator of the project Sinking Islands in Europe (2025–2027), which examines social acceptability of adaptation strategies to sea-level rise across different European countries. In addition, she acts as the principal investigator for the LUT team in the Horizon Europe–funded project ERGUiN – Encouraging a Digital and Green Transition through Revitalized and Inclusive Union–Employer Negotiations (2025–2027).
Ilona’s broader research interests include migration, climate change adaptation, national defence, and the green transition, with an emphasis on social inclusion and policy-relevant research.