Tijn Kruip - MSc Governance of Sustainability Transformations

Motivation

After backpacking through Latin America, I wasn’t sure I needed more formal education. But my curiosity about sustainability—especially in food and wine—kept pulling me back. Wageningen University & Research (WUR) stood out as the ideal place to dive deeper, thanks to its practical, hands-on approach to tackling sustainability challenges. My passion for wine was a big driver, though I never imagined WUR would open so many doors to explore it—through papers, my thesis, and even internships.

Curriculum

The MSc in Governance of Sustainability Transformations blends theory with real-world impact. Right away, I was learning from top experts, including IPCC contributors, which set a high bar. The Academic Consultancy Training project was a highlight—working with Good Fish on environmental claims gave me a taste of how theory translates to practice. That experience shaped my thesis, where I explored how legal frameworks can push sustainability in viticulture. Even without a legal background, I found I could stretch my limits and critically rethink my own biases about the wine industry.

Electives

The program offers room to tailor your path with electives. Here’s what I chose:

• Advanced Social Theory: This course flipped the script—student-led debates on philosophy and society. It sharpened my critical thinking and made me question how change really happens.
• Sustainability Transitions: Concepts, Issues and Indicators: This was all about the slow, systemic shifts toward sustainability. Writing a paper on why Europeans pick planes over trains was tough but rewarding—I even scored a top grade.
• The Politics of Healthy and Sustainable Food: A crash course in public speaking and debate. It opened my eyes to how emotions often trump facts in policy-making, especially in food systems.

Internship and Career Prospects

I’m thrilled about my upcoming internship at Ahold Delhaize, where I’ll focus on making their wine assortment more sustainable. My wine certification and thesis on sustainable viticulture landed me this spot, and I’ll be working directly with producers to drive greener practices. Looking ahead, I can see myself in a role like this—or somewhere else in the food and sustainability space. WUR has equipped me to guide transitions in industries I care about, especially wine and food.

Conclusion

One thing I’d tell future students (even if it sounds cliché) is to chase what excites you. Find that topic—or topics—you can’t stop talking about with friends or family. For me, it was wine, and WUR let me run with it. This program doesn’t just teach you skills; it pushes you to question your assumptions and see things from new angles. I used to look at sustainability through a wine-lover’s lens, but now I’m much more critical, thanks to the opportunities here—writing papers, doing research, and landing a dream internship.

Choosing WUR was a game-changer. It’s been an amazing ride, blending my passion with practical know-how. If you’re into sustainability and want a program that lets you shape it around what drives you, this could be your fit too.

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