Wicke’s research is focused on identifying and evaluating sustainable pathways for agriculture and the biobased economy. Her research specifically targets land use and changes in land use, and their role in counteracting climate change. Wicke’s research is rooted in environmental sciences. However, the complexity of sustainability challenges related to land use means that researchers must go beyond applied natural sciences and technical solutions.
“The complexity of sustainability challenges related to land use demands an interdisciplinary approach, so I use different applied natural and social sciences,” says Wicke. The environmental scientist draws on land change science, industrial ecology, agriculture, economics, political science, et cetera. “I want to find solutions for the sustainability and climate challenges facing agriculture and the biobased economy. With this professorship, I hope to accelerate and deepen the interdisciplinary understanding of this topic and prepare students to become leaders in solving local and global sustainability challenges.”
About Birka Wicke
Birka Wicke (Kassel DE, 1979) studied Sustainable Development at Utrecht University. In 2011, she received her PhD for her thesis “Bioenergy production on degraded and marginal land” about the options for and environmental effect of bioenergy production on degraded soil. Afterwards, Wicke worked as researcher at Utrecht University where she was later promoted to assistant professor. She was appointed as associate professor in 2020.
Wicke has published extensively in international journals. She has also received several prestigious grants for her research, including an NWO Vidi in 2021 and the NWO Aspasia in 2020.
Would you like to know more about Birka Wicke and her research? Read the interview with Birka Wicke for the Faculty of Science here.