Petra J.E.M. van Dam

Prof. Petra J.E.M. van Dam is a Full Professor of Water- and Environmental History at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, affiliated with the Amsterdam Sustainability Institute. Her research focuses on the environmental, social-economic, and cultural dimensions of human-water-ecosystem interactions, emphasizing sustainability transitions and water governance. She co-founded the Environmental Humanities Center and co-edits the journal Environment and History. Current projects include 'Coping with Drought' (2020-2025), funded by NWO. She has held prestigious fellowships from NWO and KNAW.

Her teaching spans courses on environmental humanities, global history, and Amsterdam's historical context. She actively contributes to public engagement through lectures and media appearances, addressing topics like water safety, climate resilience, and historical water management practices. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Key research projects include studies on Dutch water boards, dune ecosystems, and urban water infrastructure. She has supervised 7 PhD theses and collaborates internationally, notably with the European Society for Environmental History.