Harry Aiking

Dr. Harry Aiking is a Visiting Professor at the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, specializing in Environmental Economics. He holds dual affiliations with the Faculty of Science and the Amsterdam Sustainability Institute. His career spans over four decades, including roles as an Associate Professor in 'Chemistry & Food' and leadership in interdisciplinary programs like PROFETAS (Protein Foods, Environment, Technology And Society).

• Education: PhD in Microbiology (University of Amsterdam, 1977), followed by postdoctoral research in the U.S. and Europe.
• Research Focus: Sustainable protein transitions, environmental policy, and the intersection of food systems with health and climate change.
• Key Projects: Led the FP6 project REMEDE and advised on EU environmental liability frameworks.
• Awards: Recipient of the Green Protein Lifetime Achievement Award (2019).

Research Interests: Aiking’s work bridges natural and social sciences, emphasizing dietary shifts toward plant-based proteins, reducing livestock environmental impact, and aligning policy with sustainable development goals. He explores consumer behavior, cultural barriers to meat reduction, and synergies between food safety and dietary sustainability.

Grants & Activities: Overseen dozens of multidisciplinary projects and actively engages in public discourse via media contributions and lectures. Supervised two PhD theses and participates in policy advisory roles, including advising the Dutch Attorney General on soil pollution cases since 1987.

Labs & Teams: Associated with IVM research groups on Environmental Toxicology and Resource Management, collaborating globally on sustainability frameworks.