Erik van Sebille

Prof. Erik van Sebille is a full Professor in Oceanography and Public Engagement at Utrecht University's Institute of Marine and Atmospheric Research (80%) and the Freudenthal Institute (20%). His work bridges physical oceanography and science communication. He holds a PhD in Physical Oceanography from Utrecht University (2009) and postdoctoral experience from institutions in the US, Australia, and the UK. His research focuses on ocean currents' transport of materials like heat, nutrients, plankton, and plastics, using computational models such as the OceanParcels framework. He also leads studies on science communication’s role in public engagement and Open Science. Notable grants include the NWO Vici (2023) and ERC Starting Grant (2017-2022). He co-founded the TOPIOS project and contributed to the SKIM satellite mission proposal. Awards include membership in the Royal Holland Society of Sciences and Humanities (2024).

His dual focus connects climate science with societal impact: oceanographic research informs environmental policies, while science communication strategies enhance public understanding. Key projects include tracing macroplastics in ocean currents and evaluating marine debris cleanup effectiveness. His team collaborates internationally, publishing extensively in journals like Environmental Research Letters and Nature Geoscience. He emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, linking physical processes with societal engagement to address climate change challenges.