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 four interlinked main research lines: Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, Life Cycle Assessment, Biodiversity Assessment and Sustainability Transition Assessment. With these research lines, we address the Sustainable Development Goals formulated by the United Nations.
In Human and Ecological Risk Assessment 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 Life Cycle Assessment we develop methods to estimate the impacts of products and technologies on human health and biodiversity through various changes in the environment, including climate change, eutrophication, acidification, chemical pollution, and changes in land use. Our methods are used by 10,000+ practitioners all over the world. Alongside development, we apply methods to determine the environmental benefits and impacts of new global technologies such as renewable energy technologies, carbon dioxide removal technologies, electrification, and bio-based materials.
In Biodiversity Assessment 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.
In Sustainability Transition Assessment we aim to better understand societal responses to environmental challenges, evaluate their effectiveness, and estimate their impacts on the environment. STA relates to sustainability transitions in the industrial and energy sectors, where climate neutrality and circularity require the transformation of large industrial clusters and the implementation of new technologies that are not yet competitive, fully developed, or have generated societal awareness and support. We develop, test, and improve methods for evaluating the environmental impacts of new technologies, assess societal readiness and improve societal engagement.
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
6500GL NIJMEGEN