Two new professors Earth Systems and Global Change Group

The two chair holders look forward to working with staff and students to further shape the Earth Systems and Global Change Group, that was recently merged. This new group is involved in systems analyses in the areas of climate, water and ecosystems, among other things. The merger allows the two chair groups to cooperate even more closely in their research areas.

Towards solving water scarcity problems

The Water Systems and Global Change chair focuses on the pressing problem of water scarcity. Water scarcity is mostly linked to having too much, too little or too dirty water, and affects all sectors, such as agriculture, industry and domestic use, as well as ecosystems. “We assess challenges concerning water quantity and quality,” Prof. Nynke Hofstra explains. “In doing so, we always take into account the impact of global changes, such as climate change.” The group also explores opportunities for mitigation and adaptation. Hofstra: “I’d like to work with the group on our vision for the future, on, for example, connecting our large-scale water quantity and quality models to local and regional mitigation and adaptation research. In that way we can use the results of our own models as a basis to engage with stakeholders and to work on solutions at different scales.”

Hofstra completed her environmental science degree in Wageningen cum laude. After her PhD at the University of Oxford, she returned to Wageningen as an Assistant Professor with the Environmental Systems Analysis Group and, since 2019, the Water Systems and Global Change Group. Using the Global Waterborne Pathogen model developed by her team, she studies the impact of socio-economic development and climate change on waterborne pathogens and the associated health risks. She also works in global collaborative networks on the broader challenges around water security. Hofstra has been contributing to teaching and educational development at subject and programme level since she was a student, and intends to continue to do so. She succeeds Prof. Fulco Ludwig as chair holder.

Redirecting global change for a resilient and sustainable future

Prof. Hannah Van Zanten succeeds Prof. Carolien Kroeze, who took on the position of Rector Magnificus in March of this year. “Humanity is depleting the Earth’s natural resources”, says Van Zanten. “Of the nine planetary boundaries defined, six have already been infringed, which increases the risk of large-scale abrupt or irreversible environmental changes. How can we redirect global change to create a resilient and sustainable future for all? Various types of solutions could be possible. To know which will be successful, we need a divers set of methods, models and tools to measure the environmental impact. This is where the Earth Systems and Global Change Group excels, enabling us to develop a holistic understanding and guide the system changes needed to stay within the planetary boundaries.”

Van Zanten is an expert in the domain of radical redesigns of food systems to secure human and planetary health. She graduated cum laude from Wageningen University with a master’s and PhD degree in Animal Sciences. Her PhD project at the Animal Production Systems group focused on the environmental benefits of using human-inedible-sources as livestock feed. Afterwards, she continued to work in this research area funded by a NWO Talent Scheme grant (Veni). In 2020 she joined the Farming Systems Ecology group, where together with her team she developed the Circular Food Systems model to better understand the complexity of the food system. In September last year, she was appointed personal professor. Since 2021 she is also visiting professor at Cornell University.

“The Earth Systems and Global Change Group consists of talented and successful scientists who are very passionate about contributing to a sustainable society through research and education”, the professors say. “We feel honoured to chair this group.” The professors will deliver their inaugural addresses on 16 May 2025.