Soetkin Vervust

Soetkin Vervust is a postdoctoral researcher at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), affiliated with the Faculty of History, Archaeology, Arts, Philosophy and Ethics. Her research focuses on archaeology, environmental changes, and geochemistry, with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches to understanding human-environment interactions in historical and prehistoric contexts. She has contributed to major projects such as the TESTEREP initiative, exploring submerged landscapes along the Belgian coast, and studies on agricultural terraces in the Mediterranean. Her work integrates cutting-edge techniques like optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating and 3D reconstruction to uncover socioecological legacies.

• Education: Doctorate in Archaeology (not explicitly stated, inferred from postdoc status).

Her research interests span field systems, historical cartography, coastal adaptation, and resilience strategies. Notable contributions include the analysis of soil memories in ancient agricultural terraces and the documentation of the Senne River’s Holocene evolution in Brussels. She has also been recognized for her public engagement efforts, including curation of the Testerep exhibition and participatory projects like escape games for children.

Dr. Vervust has secured grants for projects such as FWOTM1260: Ancient agricultural terraces and FWOAL1082: Terraces as land management strategies. Her work bridges academia and public outreach, with media contributions to outlets like De Morgen and VRTNWS.

• Awards: Best Poster Award (2025), Docville Competition (2023), Jury Award (2025).