Gerard Govers

Gerard Govers is a full professor at KU Leuven's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, specializing in Geography and Tourism. He serves as vice-rector of the university and holds multiple leadership positions including Vice-Chairman of the Disciplinary Body (ZAP, OP3, AAP, OP1 and OP2), chair of the Internationalization Science & Technology Working Group, and member of the Faculty Council of Sciences.

Professor Govers' research focuses on environmental change, soil erosion processes, and sustainable agricultural systems, with particular emphasis on Madagascar and African food security. His work spans geomorphology, carbon cycling in soils, and the impacts of climate change on vulnerable ecosystems. He investigates landscape evolution processes, particularly the formation of lavaka (large gullies) in Madagascar, and their relationship to human activities and environmental change.

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on African food systems, particularly rice production under climate change, with interdisciplinary research connecting soil science, hydrology, and socio-economic factors. The work shows increasing attention to the impacts of urbanization on dietary patterns and food security across Africa, using integrated modeling approaches.

Professor Govers actively supervises doctoral research, including work on African rice systems, and collaborates extensively with international research teams across Europe and Africa. His leadership extends to multiple research projects addressing climate change impacts, sustainable agriculture, and environmental management in vulnerable regions.

He is deeply engaged with policy-relevant research, having commented publicly on climate issues including stating after COP27 that 'The 1.5 degrees Celsius target is dead,' reflecting his direct engagement with contemporary environmental challenges.