The department of Environmental Science (part of the Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences) investigates the impact of stressors on animal and plant species and humans. We aim to understand and predict both the relative and cumulative impact of anthropogenic stressors on species including humans. We translate detailed mechanisms into overarching principles, applied in models for future projections, in particular in highly populated river deltas and estuaries. The methods developed and the results obtained are used by governments, agencies, industry and consultancies.
Environmental Science
Research
The mission of the Environmental Science cluster of RIBES is to provide high-quality scientific knowledge that can help the world move towards greater sustainability. To achieve this, we aim to understand, project and address the impact of anthropogenic pressures on ecosystems and humans from the landscape to the global scale. We therefore investigate the entire environmental cause-effect chain from drivers to responses and from responses to drivers, also known as the DPSIR framework. We develop predictive models, where possible, based on a mechanistic understanding of the processes underlying the impacts of pressures on the environment and where needed we use descriptive statistical approaches. This enables us to explore and develop wide-ranging sustainable solutions for the environmental challenges the world faces today.
Publications
Our scientific contributions can be found in the Publications archive in Radboud Repository.
Research lines
We have carved out three interlinked main research lines: Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, Environmental Assessment of Sustainability Transitions and Biodiversity Assessment. With these research lines, we address the Sustainable Development Goals formulated by the United Nations.
In Human and Ecological Risk Assessment (HERA) we aim to understand and describe the emission, fate, and effects of chemicals in the environment. The studies focus on the development and validation of computer models that describe the environmental impacts of micro-pollutants such as pesticides and pharmaceuticals. Our models are widely applied for regulatory and scientific purposes, including models such as SimpleBox/Treat, OMEGA, and ePiE.
In the Environmental Assessment of Sustainability Transitions (EAST) research line, we aim to contribute to the design and assessment of integrated pathways towards greater sustainability. To this end, we develop and apply methods to assess the impacts of sustainability transitions in the context of products, technologies, consumers, companies, cities, and countries. Important topics of our research are sustainable resource use, industrial transitions, and climate change mitigation.
In Biodiversity Assessment (BA) we focus on quantifying the responses of species and ecosystems to anthropogenic environmental change at macro scales (from landscape to global). We cover the terrestrial and freshwater and marine realms and a variety of taxonomic groups (plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates) and anthropogenic pressures (climate change, land use, eutrophication, and chemical pollution). This broad scope enables us to rank pressures, determine the state of biodiversity change and identify general, overarching response mechanisms.
Internships
Interested in an internship or thesis at the department of Environmental Science? We offer diverse opportunities for Bachelor's and Master's students across all research themes. Internships typically last 2 months for Bachelor's students and 6 to 9 months for Master's students, depending on the programme. You can also choose to intern at an external company or university, either locally or abroad, with joint supervision from our faculty. For more information, get in touch with Steef Hanssen.
Education
The research department offers various Bachelor's and Master's courses. The department is closely involved in the Bachelor's Biology and Molecular Life Sciences, the new Master's Science for Sustainability (starting in September 2025), the Master's specialisations Environment & Sustainability of the Master's Biology, and the faculty-wide Master's specialisation Science, Management & Innovation.
Academic Staff
The Environmental Science department consists of PhD candidates, assistant professors, associate professors, professors, senior researchers, postdocs, and employees in the roles of management assistants and other positions. The management team (MT) consists of Prof. Ad Ragas, Prof. Birka Wicke, and Dr. Rosalie van Zelm.
Contact information
Location
Visiting address
Heyendaalseweg 1356525AJ Nijmegen
Postal address
Postbus 90106500GL NIJMEGEN