معرفی
Serge Schmitz is a Full Professor in the Department of Geography within the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Liège. He directs the Rural Geography Service (Laboratory for the Analysis of Places, Landscapes and European Countryside - LAPLEC) and serves as Director of the Research Unit Sphères at the University of Liège.
Dr. Schmitz earned his Doctorate in Science from the University of Liège in 1999, following a Degree in Geographical Sciences from the same institution in 1993. His academic career has been deeply rooted at ULiège, where he has developed expertise across multiple geographical sub-disciplines.
Professor Schmitz's research spans rural geography, landscape analysis, sustainable development, and the geographical dimensions of the European Green Deal. His work examines the complex interactions between human activities and environmental systems, with particular focus on post-mining regions, wetland ecosystems, and urban-rural interfaces. He investigates how landscapes transform through natural processes and human interventions, and how communities adapt to these changes.
His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on practical geographical applications addressing contemporary challenges. Key themes include wetland degradation assessment, landslide susceptibility mapping, post-mining development strategies, vulnerability of coastal populations, and tourism development in transformed landscapes. His work often employs geospatial analysis and integrates both quantitative and qualitative approaches to understand geographical phenomena.
Professor Schmitz holds multiple leadership positions including Co-president of the Commission des systèmes ruraux durables de l'UGI (2016-2022), President of the Jury of the Bachelor in geographical sciences, Vice president of the Doctoral College in geography, and President of the Scientific Council of the Sart Tilman sites. He also serves as President of the Scientific Council of the J.A. Sporck Foundation and as Scientific editor of the Bulletin of the Liège Geographical Society.
He teaches various courses at ULiège related to geographical training, sustainable development, environmental geography, rural geography, and the territorial dimension of the European Green Deal. His teaching reflects his research interests and commitment to addressing contemporary geographical challenges.
