Esther Turnhout

Esther Turnhout is a Full Professor specializing in environmental science and policy within the department of Knowledge, Transformation & Society. She holds significant editorial roles, including Editor-in-Chief of Environmental Science & Policy, and contributes to international initiatives such as the IPBES and the Endangered Landscapes program. Her research focuses on transforming environmental science for justice and pluralism, with emphasis on science-policy interfaces, biodiversity governance, and sustainable development.

Her work critically examines conservation practices, digital futures in ecology, and the socio-political dimensions of environmental management. Notable contributions include rethinking REDD+ frameworks and analyzing the role of sensing technologies in agriculture. Turnhout advocates for inclusive knowledge systems and challenges technocratic approaches to environmental governance.

Recent publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to biodiversity, colonial legacies in environmental policy, and the ethical dimensions of science. She actively participates in global dialogues on sustainability, contributing to transformative governance strategies and climate resilience policies.