Edward Huijbens

Edward Huijbens is a Full Professor and Chair of the Cultural Geography Research Group at Wageningen University. Previously, he held roles including Professor at the University of Akureyri (2015–2019) and Director of the Icelandic Tourism Research Centre (2004–2015). He earned his B.Sc. from the University of Iceland (2000), and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Cultural Geography from Durham University (2005/2006). His research focuses on spatial theory, regional development, landscape perceptions, transport in tourism, and polar tourism. Notable contributions include co-editing Technology in Society/Society in Technology (2005), Sensi/able Spaces (2007), and authoring Developing Earthly Attachments in the Anthropocene (2021). He has advised numerous PhD students and led projects on sustainable tourism, hydrocommons, and Arctic policy.

Education:

• B.Sc. Geography, University of Iceland (2000)
• M.A. and Ph.D. Cultural Geography, Durham University (2005/2006)

Research Interests:

• Spatial Theory
• Regional Development
• Landscape Perceptions
• Polar Tourism
• Anthropocene Studies

Key Projects:

• Innovative Business Models for Sustainable Tourism (PhD project)
• Heritage for Resilience: Intangible Cultural Heritage in Climate Strategies
• Nature-based Solutions for Health

His political involvement includes roles with the Icelandic Left Green Party, including serving as Vice Chairman (2017–present) and municipal committee member in Akureyri. He has authored over 80 publications and contributed to international conferences, emphasizing transdisciplinary approaches to environmental and tourism challenges.