Iris van Duren

Iris van Duren is an Assistant Professor at the University of Twente, affiliated with the Department of Natural Resources at ITC (International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation) and the Digital Society Institute. Her work bridges remote sensing, spatial analysis, and environmental science, focusing on sustainable resource management, biodiversity conservation, and bioenergy. She holds a senior teaching qualification and has contributed to international projects like EOPOWER and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Her research spans wetland ecology, invasive species, and policy integration with remote sensing.

Education: B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Biology from Radboud University (formerly Nijmegen), followed by a PhD in wetland ecology at the University of Groningen. She has held roles at IAC (Wageningen) and ITC since 1999.

Research interests include remote sensing applications for biodiversity, bioenergy sustainability, and spatial decision-making. She emphasizes linking scientific findings to societal impact through teaching and journalism. Key areas: sustainable biomass production, carbon dynamics, and environmental policy.

Scientific contributions include over 46 publications and the SEFI Best Paper Award (2020) for cultural teaching methods research. Her work aligns with UN SDGs, particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).