H (Harro) Maat

Dr. H (Harro) Maat is an Associate Professor at the Knowledge Technology and Innovation group of Wageningen University & Research, within the Faculty of Social Sciences. His work focuses on the intersection of agricultural technology, colonial history, and socio-technical change in rural communities. He investigates historical and contemporary practices of food production, particularly in colonial contexts and marginalized communities such as Maroons and indentured laborers in Suriname and similar regions. His research emphasizes local responses to global commodity systems and the co-production of social orders through agricultural practices.

Key research interests include the history of agricultural science in colonial settings, the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), agro-biodiversity, and health dynamics among marginalized populations. He has collaborated on funded projects like Commodities and anti-commodities (NWO-GW) and SRI as a socio-technical movement (NWO-WOTRO). His interdisciplinary approach spans history, sociology, and anthropology, with a focus on development cooperation and food security.

Teaching responsibilities include courses on embodiment, migration, and science-policy interactions, with a strong emphasis on thesis supervision across undergraduate and graduate levels. His availability is consistent across all weekdays, and he actively participates in academic networks through platforms like ResearchGate and Google Scholar.

Recent publications explore topics ranging from Ebola response strategies in Sierra Leone to the genetic origins of rice varieties in Suriname Maroon communities. His work highlights the importance of local knowledge in resisting and adapting to global agricultural and health policies, contributing to debates on sustainability and equity in development practices.