Lia van Wesenbeeck

Lia van Wesenbeeck is an Associate Professor of Development Economics at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's School of Business and Economics, and Director of the Amsterdam Centre for World Food Studies. She holds a PhD from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (2000) and previously served as senior researcher at SOW-VU. Her expertise spans general equilibrium theory, water-energy-food nexus modelling, and spatial statistical analysis of vulnerable groups.

Research focuses on climate change impacts, food security policy, and sustainable urban agriculture, with leadership in the EU-funded Feed4Food project (2024-2026). She has supervised over 35 bachelor/master students and multiple PhD candidates, and advises Dutch ministries on food security. Key roles include Scientific Subcommittee membership at South Africa's Food Security Centre and advisory roles in Ghana-Netherlands WASH programs.

Recent research explores adaptation strategies among Ethiopian farmers, diarrheal disease in Pakistan, and collusive bidding in online auctions. Projects emphasize interdisciplinary approaches linking economics, environmental science, and policy design.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Amsterdam Centre for World Food Studies coordinating global food security initiatives. Engages in international collaborations across Africa, Caribbean, and China's Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.