Research line: Learning and Innovation in Resilient Systems
PhD research
Researcher: Maria Arredondo
Start 2022

Contact: prof. dr. Dave Huitema

This project starts with the remarkable observation that biodiversity assessments often fail to have any impact on the ground and often even cannot avoid serious conflicts between stakeholders. Our premise is that this is due to ineffective learning and alignment processes and a lack of attention in assessment processes to the plural values of nature. 

Biodiversity assessments are aimed at two main categories: policy-makers and corporate actors. Each category uses the assessments for its own goals. We argue that three novel steps need to be taken in order to fundamentally increase the social learning from biodiversity assessment tools, and hence to increase the impact of these tools on public and private decision-making.

1. Make nature valuation more inclusive. 
2. Make nature valuation more practical. 
3. Integrate biodiversity assessment in adaptive and reflexive governance frameworks. 

The aim of this project is to develop innovative biodiversity assessment tools that answer to the three above mentioned demands. 

Team

Faculty of Science: prof. dr Dave Huitema (promotor), dr. ir. Jean Hugé (co-promotor)
Faculty of Management: prof. dr. ir. Harold R. Krikke (promotor), dr. Stijn Neuteleers (copromotor).