Ole Mertz

Ole Mertz is a Professor of Human Geography at the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management (DGN) within the Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen. He has been serving in this position since 2014 and has held various leadership roles including Head of Section of Geography (2016-2022) and currently Head of Studies for BSc and MSc Geography and Geoinformatics (2021-present).

His educational background includes:

• M.Sc. in Agronomy from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Denmark (1990)
• PhD in Geography from the University of Copenhagen (1997)
• Diploma in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education from the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen (2000)

Mertz's research focuses on global environmental change, land use transitions, and food security in the Global South. With over two decades of experience, he has specialized in studying forest-agriculture frontiers to understand how land use changes affect socio-economic and environmental systems. His work also encompasses climate change adaptation and mitigation, with particular regional expertise in Southeast Asia and West Africa, though he has also conducted research in the Pacific, East and Central Africa, and Latin America. His research interests span tropical farming systems, shifting cultivation, forestry, and REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation).

Mertz has led numerous significant research projects, including the TRANS-AG project on agricultural systems transformation (2024-2028), RurbanClimate on climate resilience (2021-2026), and several EU Marie Sklodowska-Curie International Training Networks. His work often involves interdisciplinary approaches to address complex sustainability challenges at the intersection of environmental management and development.

His scientific contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards including the A.C Moreen Medal from the Finnish Geographical Society (2024) for pedagogical development in Geography teaching and the Galathea Silver Medal from the Royal Danish Geographical Society (2016) for research leadership at the Galathea3 Expedition.

Mertz has supervised numerous postdoctoral researchers and PhD students, with a focus on topics related to land use change, shifting cultivation, climate adaptation, and sustainable development. He has also contributed extensively to academic service as an editor, journal board member, and committee chair for various international organizations including the European Research Council.

He leads research groups and collaborates internationally, with particular emphasis on understanding the dynamics between livelihoods, ecosystem services, and land use change in developing countries. His work bridges academic research with policy applications, aiming to inform sustainable development practices globally.