Dr E.B.P. de Jong (Edwin)

Edwin de Jong is Associate Professor and Programme Director at the Department of Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies. One of his recent publications, ‘Perceptions of Change’, encapsulates the focal point of his research and education interests. At the heart of his inquiry lies a fascination with the processes of change and the myriad ways people navigate, adapt to and anticipate crises, both past and impending. In other words, he delves into the intricate fabric of human responses to external pressures and disruptions within their environment, probing how local communities sculpt their everyday practices to confront or surmount these challenges. As such, he focusses on social-ecological interaction processes that affect local people’s livelihoods, wellbeing and control over land terrestrial and aquatic resources, using a mixed methods type of approach. He is currently (2021-2025) heading the interdisciplinary programme ‘Resilient Indonesian Slums Envisioned (RISE)’, financed by NWO/RISTEK-BRIN.

He places equal importance on education and research, viewing them as interconnected facets of academic development. His dedication to teaching is underscored by his attainment of the comprehensive education qualification (UKO) in 2014. Raised in an environment that prioritised values such as critical thinking, societal engagement, practical application, citizenship, ethics, and inclusive learning, he firmly believes in the importance of fostering student's social engagement. Over the years, he has spearheaded various innnovations in his teaching, with a particular focus on these values. To effectively address societal challenges and enhance students' intrinsic motivation to learn, he has been awarded a Comenius Senior Fellowship (2024-2027) titled 'Socially Engaged Learning: Active involvement and sustainable partnerships in higher education.'