New institute: Wageningen Social & Economic Research

The new institute - like the two current institutes - is part of the WUR Social Sciences Group. Prof Joost de Laat has been managing director of the group since 1 October: ‘There are major societal and economic challenges in the domain of agriculture and food in the Netherlands, Europe and worldwide. With this joining of forces, Wageningen University & Research will have an institute pre-eminently equipped with the knowledge and expertise to positively contribute to these challenges in cooperation with our partners.’

The mission of Wageningen Social & Economic Research is to contribute to just and sustainable agricultural and food systems through scientific knowledge. That means ensuring that sufficient and healthy food is available for everyone within the planetary boundaries, at prices that offer a fair income to producers.

The institute cooperates with a wide range of partners. Within WUR, these are the other Wageningen Research institutes and chair groups. External partners include governments, (food) producers, chain parties and civil society organisations.

Wageningen Social & Economic Research (over 400 employees) combines in-depth knowledge of agricultural practices and food systems with expertise in data, economic models, behavioural economics, policy instruments, system change and multi-stakeholder processes.

The day-to-day management of Wageningen Social & Economic Research will be in the hands of three institute managers. One of them is ir Olaf Hietbrink, currently Business Unit Manager of Wageningen Economic Research. The other two are expected to be appointed later this autumn.