News Wageningen University & Research

Need for gender-sensitivity in innovation and entrepreneurship development

Innovation and entrepreneurship development needs to be reframed to include diverse groups of especially women and better cater for them in their contribution to sustainable agri-food systems. Valentina C. Materia, WUR, elaborated on this as the main takeaway of three recent projects at WUR on women-led innovation and entrepreneurship in agricultural and rural contexts. Her presentation introduced the interactive and interdisciplinary colloquium ‘Diverse Rural Identities and Politics of Belonging: Innovation, Intersections, and Entrepreneurship in Rural and Agricultural Territories’. It was held at WUR on 15 Oct 2026, the International Day of Rural Women, and as part of the UN Year of Woman Farmer. After lively exchanges in small groups in person and online, valuable pointers were listed to better recognize diverse rural and agricultural women’s identities, their agency and perspectives in innovation and entrepreneurship research and policies.

Sjaak Wolfert appointed Special Professor

Sjaak Wolfert has been appointed Special Professor of Digital Innovation Ecosystems for Sustainable Agri-Food Systems within the Information Technology Group at WUR.

European rivers retain far more plastic than they carry to the sea

WUR research across 8,600 European river basins shows most plastic remains on land or in rivers. The Rhine ranks among Europe's most plastic-polluted rivers.

First poultry farm tests positive for avian influenza

Avian influenza has been detected at a laying hen farm in Lutjegast. The presence of the virus has been confirmed by the National Reference Laboratory at Wageningen Bioveterinary Research. This is the first outbreak of the 2026/2027 avian influenza season.

Micro-organisms show promise for reducing emissions from manure

The microbial product Kopros may help reduce methane and ammonia emissions from dairy cattle housing, shows researcher Herman de Boer.

Vidi grant for research into groundwater resources under climate change

WUR researcher Inge de Graaf receives an NWO Vidi grant to study how climate change affects groundwater, food production and the environment.

Research into the hidden mechanisms behind cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure

Deli Zhang of Wageningen University & Research is investigating a possible shared mechanism behind atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Her research, supported by a Vidi grant from the NWO Talent Programme, could pave the way for new approaches to preventing and treating these heart conditions.

From PFAS in food crops to groundwater protection: eight WUR researchers awarded Vidi grants

Eight researchers from Wageningen University & Research (WUR) have been awarded Vidi grants by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) this year. With Vidi funding of up to 850,000 euros, these talented researchers can further develop their own line of research and set up or expand their own research group.

Major international research programme to accelerate breeding of climate-resilient crops

The international TRITON research programme, coordinated by Wageningen University & Research, has received $50 million to accelerate the development of climate-resilient crops using AI and gene editing.