Environmental Systems Analysis Prof. Dr. Rik Leemans Introduction to WIMEK-SENSE Rik Leemans, Director Sjoerd van der Zee, Chair WIMEK Board Johan Feenstra, Officer

Rik Leemans Ecologist, Prof. ESA, Director WIMEK, Chair Board SENSE, Chair SC ESSP Simulating the structure an dynamics of Fiby urskog

What is WIMEK? WIMEK is one of the seven graduate school of Wageningen University. WIMEK is strongly multi- and interdisciplinary, and focuses on studying understanding and solving environmental problems Groups include: Environmental policy, Environmental economics, Environmental technology, Ecology, Hydrology, Meteorology, Earth Systems Science, Environmental systems analysis & Landscape architecture

The matrix structure of Wageningen University

WIMEK as a partner in SENSE WIMEK is part of SENSE, which is the national graduate school for Socio- Economic and Natural Sciences of the Environment. SENSE is a joint venture of the environmental research institutes of ten Dutch universities and UNESCO-IHE and is officially accredited by the KNAW Added value of SENSE: Common courses, evaluations, a PhD en research network

SENSE organizes internationally recognized PhD education Symposia and discussions Interdisciplinary courses

Aim of WIMEK and SENSE o The scientific mission is to promote an integrated understanding of environmental change in terms of the mechanisms that cause it and the consequences that result from it. o the WIMEK/SENSE research and education program aims at the development and improvement of scientific approaches that are required for an effective disciplinary and multidisciplinary understanding of environmental change. o WIMEK/SENSE activities are dedicated to developing high quality scientific results which may be applied to practically and critically inform environmental policy perspectives.

WIMEK/SENSE has three fundamental goals: o Education and training of PhD students in disciplinary and multidisciplinary environmental issues o Scientific research of environmental changes, both with regard to the disciplinary understanding of the issues and with regard to multidisciplinary understanding in the context of society; o Support of society, environmental actors, and policy makers with independent and scientifically based expert advice.

Recruiting of PhD students

Structure of WIMEK/SENSE’s Research Programme Three major disciplinary fields: 1.Ecotoxicology, microbiology, physiology, ecogenomics, environmental chemistry and environmental technology 2.Systems ecology, hydrology, geology, atmospheric sciences and soil science 3.Economics, sociology, political science and system analysis Grouped by scale: from molecular, to ecosystems and landscapes, to economy and policies. Excellence in disciplinary fields is important, but integration and synthesis is always emphasized!

WIMEK/SENSE research MATRIX Field 1 Field 2 Field 3 Increasing scale and integration Micropollutants Environmental change Global change Industrial transformation The SENSE research matrix emphasizes a network of researchers and PhDs that need to exchange expertise, approaches, ideas and findings Spatial analysis

Strength and weaknesses of the disciplines-core themes matrix Strengths: o A flexible network structure to discuss and communicate research within SENSE o Strongly bottom-up organized with input from many SENSE members o Enhances the multi- and interdisciplinary views o A appropriate structure to channel research needs and initiate funding needs from ministries and others. (Collaboration with VROM & VVM) Weaknesses: o Sometimes difficult to motivate individual senior researchers to participate o Limited possibilities to steer activities from top-down

Recent development: research clusters Core theme 3: Global Environmental Change (chair: Professor Pier Vellinga, WU/VU) VIII Global environmental change: pressure, state and impact interacting biogeochemical cycles; global change observations and trends; earth system compartment interactions; complex systems and resilience; effects on ecosystems and biodiversity; scenarios and modelling potential impacts; uncertainty and communication Coordinators: Dr. Laurens Ganzeveld (WU) & Stefan Dekker (UU) IX Managing global and climate change the role of technological change on mitigation strategies; the development of long-term mitigation and adaptation policies in an international context; assessment of climate adaptation strategies for the Netherlands and internationally; risk management of vulnerable areas like river basins, river delta's and coastal areas; the use of spatial analysis, economic analysis and policy instruments in water management; global change and human health Coordinators: Dr. Hasse Goossen (WU/Alterra) XIV Integrated Assessment of Global Environmental Change (sustainability science; integrated modelling; participatory methods; uncertainty analysis; decision support systems for integrated pollution and/or ecosystem management Co-ordinators: Dr. Pieter Valkering (MU-ICIS)

Management Structure WIMEK Board (Chair, 3 members, one Alterra member and one PhD student) Director Officer & administrator Chair groups, PHD-students And fellows SENSE Board Wageningen Graduate Schools (WGS) PhD Council

Tasks of WIMEK o Stimulate a good PhD-education and research environment Review and endorse PhD proposals and education plans (ITSP) Facilitate courses, workshops, conferences and visiting scientists Participate in and stimulate SENSE’s international networks to internationalize education (e.g. Joint EU programmes, Marie Curie training sites, IIASA) Vertrouwenspersoon (counselor) and mediations in conflicts (e.g. authorship) o Managing and granting strategic research funds (i.e. 2 Million € for all WGS) o Advice: Spending of the KB and IP/OP strategic funding of WUR Advice rector and WUR board on research and PhD education issues, bonuses & awards (WGS) Advice on Wageningen University’s research and education strategies (in WGS) Appointment and Tenure Track evaluations for UDs, UHDs and Professors. o Research Quality Evaluation and Assessment: Evaluate WIMEK fellows (green, yellow and red cards) and chair group and inform directors of the various departments on progress Facilitate the international (SEP-protocol) and mid-term reviews (evaluated by WIMEK’s international advisory board)

Minimum criteria to be(come) a WIMEK fellow

Visitatie en mid-term review criteria o Productivity (# papers, keynotes, etc.) o Scientific quality and relevance (# citations, scientific committees) o Societal relevance (e.g. # interviews, ministerial committees) o Vitality Grades: A. Excellent: at the international frontier of discipline B. very good: internationally renowned C. Good: internationally acceptable D. satisfactory: internationally poor but nationally good E. insufficient: not up to disciplinary standards

Recent developments and activities

International connections

WIMEK: for students and supervisors!