News Wageningen University & Research

'Don’t blame zoonoses on animals if they are displaced from their habitat by humans'

It is all too easy to blame sick animals for health issues, such as rats with the plague and bats carrying COVID-19. That is not fair, according to Dr Bernice Bovenkerk. Sustainable and equitable global health requires humans to take responsibility and learn to coexist with nature.

‘Farmers are stuck in the system. It is up to us as a society to make choices.’

Agricultural economist Jaap Sok is researching how farmers deal with various crises and uncertainties. He argues that society should be clearer about what it expects from farmers and how this is managed.

‘Planetary health’ enters policymaking through new WUR consortium

Climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss increasingly affect public health, yet policy decisions often still treat these issues separately. A new consortium led by WUR

‘Pursuing food autonomy means Europe must be less dependent on soy and chemical fertilisers’

Joost de Laat, the director of WUR’s Social Sciences Group and keynote speaker during F&A Next, aims to develop resilient food systems.

‘The history of famine teaches us a lot about the future’

The UN wants hunger to be eradicated from the world in seven years. To achieve this, we need more than only knowledge about the current food system. We also need to understand the history of famine, says Ingrid de Zwarte. This is the topic of her talk at the Academic Year Opening on 4 September 2023.

"AI in farming is useful for looking ahead 50 years", says computer scientist Hilmy Baja

What is the best strategy for a successful harvest with minimal fertiliser and pesticide use? An AI tool can assist farmers and policymakers in making informed choices for a sustainable future. Researcher Hilmy Baja will present this tool at the Dies Natalis on 7 March 2025.

"Deep seabed mining puts oceans and rights at risk"

As the push for critical minerals accelerates in the name of climate action, a new publication by Dr. Chiara Macchi from the Law Group raises sharp questions about the environmental and human rights costs of deep seabed mining (DSM). Framed by some as essential for the energy transition, DSM could soon be authorised by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), but is the world ready?

“Disasters aren't just natural events – they are social ones”

On 1 July, Jori Kalkman joined Wageningen University & Research as an Associate Professor in the Sociology of Development and Change group. A WUR alumnus, he is glad to return in this new role. Jori’s research focuses on disaster response. Drawing on his experience at the Netherlands Defence Academy, where he also holds a position as Associate Professor, he brings a unique perspective on the interplay between formal emergency operations and local community resilience.

“We can do much better at recycling clothes"

Fast fashion and overconsumption are driving an ever-growing mountain of waste, while the Netherlands is committed to achieving a fully circular textile chain by 2050. But how do we get there?