Barbara van Mierlo

Barbara van Mierlo is an Associate Professor in Sociology at the Knowledge, Technology and Innovation Group of Wageningen University & Research. Her work focuses on transformative sustainability transitions, emphasizing interactive learning, evaluation strategies, and transdisciplinary collaboration. She developed the Reflexive Monitoring in Action (RMA) methodology, applied internationally in agriculture, energy, and health sectors. Her research explores systemic change processes, particularly in agriculture and food systems, advocating for reflexivity and responsible innovation.

Key research interests include sustainability transitions, transformative learning, and the role of evaluation in fostering systemic change. She engages in transdisciplinary projects, such as the CESEPS initiative on smart energy systems, and advises on innovation in sectors like greenhouse agriculture. She teaches courses on sustainability transitions, societal impact of research, and system innovation.

Van Mierlo’s projects include advising students on water resource management and innovation in Benin, contributing to global food systems transformation debates, and analyzing protein transition pathways. Her work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders.