معرفی
Prof. dr. Hens Runhaar is a Full Professor of Sustainable Food System Governance at Utrecht University's Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development. He holds dual affiliations with Wageningen University & Research (2015–2020 as Visiting Professor and Special Professor Emeritus). His research focuses on reconciling food production with biodiversity recovery, environmental sustainability, and health, emphasizing connectivity between actors in food systems. Key areas include agroecology, nature-inclusive agriculture, and policy design for climate resilience.
Education: PhD (2002) in Technology, Policy & Management (TU Delft); MA (1994) in Public Administration (Twente University). Societal roles include membership in BirdLife Netherlands' Scientific Advisory Board, Utrecht University's Biodiversity Council, and Earth System Governance research networks. He volunteers with badger conservation initiatives.
Notable projects include COMBINED (grassland biodiversity & dairy farming) and REWIRE (circular agricultural missions). His 2025 inaugural address emphasized rethinking connections in food systems for diversity. Research spans governance frameworks, policy mixes, and stakeholder collaboration in sustainability transitions.
Teaching includes courses on food systems in the Global Sustainability Sciences program and supervision of master’s/bachelor’s theses on topics like EU agrifood policy and biodiversity valuation.
Publications focus on transformative governance, policy integration, and barriers to nature-based solutions. He frequently engages in media and policy dialogues, advocating for farmer-centric approaches and systemic change in agriculture.