MSc student Maite den Butter wins prestigious REmagine Award for research on Marine Protected Areas

Maite received the award for her thesis “The Impact of Marine Protected Areas on Well-being: Evidence from Indonesia”, an in-depth study of how nature conservation efforts affect the daily lives of coastal communities. As Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)  expand globally under commitments such as the 30x30 target, understanding their social implications has become increasingly important, as so far the focus has mostly on ecological benefits.

Her research goes beyond traditional ecological metrics by examining the holistic well-being of communities. She examined communities living near Marine Protected Areas in Papua and West Papua in Indonesia, and found that these protected zones are linked to meaningful improvements in people’s overall well-being, especially in places where MPAs have been implemented for a longer time. Her results offer clear evidence that marine conservation can benefit both nature and the daily lives of local communities, for instance by increased tourism revenue, improved infrastructure and a healthier living environment. 

Her thesis supervisors, Dr. Andries Richter and Dr. Anna Abatayo of the Environmental Economics chair group, praise Maite’s work for its scientific rigour and societal relevance. They note: “Maite’s thesis is an exemplary piece of research showing what the economics discipline can offer to society. It reflects the best of what we aim to achieve in economics research: it’s evidence-based, socially relevant and analytically sophisticated”. 

The award came as a surprise to Maite: “Winning this is not what I had in mind when starting my thesis. But it means a lot to me. it shows there are people in Dutch academia who value using economics to rethink the way we approach challenges in our world. Being recognised for that gives me hope that there is room for dialogue and new perspectives within the field.”

The thesis has also given her new research skills: “One lesson that will stay with me is that it is good to begin with high ambitions, but it is just as important to remain flexible. Making adjustments does not mean doing a worse job; it simply means allowing the project to grow step by step. I also developed practical skills that I am proud of: applying quantitative causal inference methods, working confidently in R and beginning to explore geospatial data, which I hope to continue learning about.”

The REmagine Award, a prestigious award installed by the Dutch Council of Deans in Economics and Business, is granted annually to graduates who show that a humane economy, shared responsibility and cooperation across business, government and civil society are not only possible but essential. The prize highlights the transformative potential of the next generation of economists and business professionals. Each winner receives 5,000 euros in recognition of their contribution to shaping a people-centred economy.

For more information about the REmagine Award, visit: www.remagine-award.nl