Wageningen University & Research

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Wageningen University & Research

Welcome to the official page of Wageningen University & Research.
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This page is for current and future students, alumni, staff and those interested in Wageningen University & Research. Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is one of the leading international universities with courses in the field of healthy food and living environment. It aims to improve the quality of life by focusing on three main themes: Health, Lifestyle & Livelihood; Food & Food Production and Living Environment.

30/05/2026

🌱 Do you remember what first made you fascinated by plants?

Last week, around 100 secondary school students visited Wageningen University & Research in honour of Fascination of Plants Day. They discovered how plants deal with stress, from drought and heat to salty soils, and saw what plant research looks like in practice.

During their visit, the students explored the Netherlands Plant Eco-phenotyping Centre, where researchers study how plants grow and respond to changing conditions. They also joined a hands-on workshop organised together with the Jan IngenHousz Institute, using field equipment to measure photosynthesis themselves.

A day full of science, curiosity and plants. Exactly the kind of fascination that drives our research every day.

What inspired you to dive deeper into the topic that interests you?

29/05/2026

🌱🐝 Hoeveel biodiversiteit leeft er eigenlijk op een schoolplein?

Op de Kardinaal Alfrinkschool trokken leerlingen eropuit tijdens de Schoolplein Safari, een initiatief van Wetenschapsknooppunt Wageningen University.

Hier onderzochten meer dan 11.000 basisschoolleerlingen de planten en dieren op hun eigen schoolplein. Ook WUR-onderzoekers gingen mee de klas in om leerlingen te helpen kijken, tellen en ontdekken.

“Wat een enthousiasme hadden de kinderen, het zijn super goede soortenzoekers. Hadden we elke dag maar zulke collega-onderzoekers!” Aldus Casper Quist.

Een mooie manier om kinderen zelf te laten ervaren hoe dichtbij natuur eigenlijk is.

Kijk vandaag eens met andere ogen naar je eigen omgeving. Welke planten, insecten of vogels zie jij dichtbij huis, werk of school?

28/05/2026

💧🚜 Jaarlijks stromen miljoenen liters gezuiverd water naar rivieren en de zee. Tegelijkertijd wordt water tijdens droogte steeds schaarser, en dat merken boeren in Nederland ook.

Zou dit water een waardevolle nieuwe bron kunnen zijn voor de landbouw?

Bij Wageningen University & Research onderzoekt onderzoeker Erik Vriezekolk of gezuiverd afvalwater van rioolwaterzuiveringsinstallaties veilig kan worden hergebruikt voor het irrigeren van gewassen zoals aardappelen, uien en peren.

Het water is al schoon genoeg om terug de natuur in te gaan, maar wat gebeurt er wanneer voedselgewassen dit water opnemen? En kunnen extra zuiveringsstappen het water nog veiliger maken voor landbouwgebruik?

Kijk de video waarin Erik ons meeneemt naar een rioolwaterzuiveringsinstallatie en uitlegt hoe zijn team de kansen en uitdagingen van waterhergebruik in de landbouw onderzoekt!

💬 Zou jij gewassen eten die zijn geïrrigeerd met gezuiverd afvalwater, als bewezen is dat het veilig is?

27/05/2026

👩‍🌾🌎 How can global trade become fairer for the people at the very beginning of the supply chain?

A team of Academic Consultancy Training Master’s students from Wageningen University & Research explored this question in their award-winning project for Africa in Motion and Afropulse. Their work, focused on creating fairer opportunities for female farmers in Ghana, has now been recognised with the ACT Award 2026.

Using a combination of literature research, expert interviews and financial scenario modelling, the students investigated innovative approaches such as profit-sharing systems and blockchain technology to improve transparency and support fair compensation within the supply chain.

The team also translated their findings into practical tools, including a business model canvas and a marketing video to communicate the value of Equal Trade Certificates.

The project highlights the strength of transdisciplinary learning at WUR: students working together with organisations on complex societal challenges and developing solutions with real-world impact.

Congratulations to everyone involved 👏

22/05/2026

💚🐛 Today is Biodiversity Day! Here are three special species that were spotted on our campus last year. Let us know which species you spotted in the comments!👇 ✨

20/05/2026

♻️⚠️ Hoe zorgt jouw grote boodschap voor problemen elders op de wereld?

Via onze riolering verdwijnen grote hoeveelheden waardevolle nutriënten uit de kringloop. Stoffen zoals fosfaat, kalium en zink halen we wereldwijd uit landbouwgronden, maar eindigen hier vaak in de verbrandingsoven. Met gevolgen elders op de wereld: uitgeputte bodems en tekorten aan essentiële voedingsstoffen.

Volgens hoogleraar biologische kringlooptechnologie Cees Buisman moeten we daarom anders kijken naar afvalwater: niet als afval, maar als bron van waardevolle grondstoffen.

De sleutel? Nutriëntenstromen zo geconcentreerd mogelijk houden, zodat waardevolle stoffen teruggewonnen kunnen worden. Innovaties zoals vacuümtoiletten kunnen daar een belangrijke rol in spelen.

Hoe kijk jij naar het hergebruik van nutriënten uit afvalwater? 👇

13/05/2026

🎓 We are proud to announce the appointment of Folkert Boersma as Personal Professor in Atmospheric Remote Sensing at Wageningen University & Research!

Folkert is affiliated with the Meteorology & Air Quality (MAQ) group, where he connects fundamental satellite science with atmospheric modelling, uncovering new insights into emissions, air quality, and climate change.

His work with Dutch satellite instruments OMI and TROPOMI has made it possible to pinpoint sources of air pollution from space. Algorithms he developed at KNMI have become the global standard for measuring air pollution from space.

In his new role, Folkert focuses on three goals: advancing knowledge, strengthening collaboration between WUR, KNMI, and international partners, and developing leadership in tackling major environmental challenges. "Satellites don't just measure pollution, they tell us what works, and where more needs to be done."

Congratulations, Folkert!

07/05/2026

🌱 AI and biotechnology are opening up new possibilities for our food systems

From faster crop innovation to new proteins and more diverse farming systems, these technologies are developing rapidly. But as Richard Harrison, our Plant Science Director, emphasizes: the technology is not the finish line. The starting point should be a broader conversation about the kind of food system we want to build as a society.

And that conversation is becoming more urgent by the day. We're already seeing:
👉 AI like AlphaFold predicting protein structures
👉 New breeding techniques cutting development time from decades to years
👉 CRISPR making precise gene-editing more accessible and affordable
👉 “Forgotten” crops like the protein-rich tuber (aardaker in Dutch) are making a comeback (yay!)

The potential is enormous. But as Richard emphasizes, the real challenge isn’t technological. Instead of waiting for technology to be “ready,” we should be asking now: What kind of food system do we actually want?

24/04/2026

🐛 100 years of Entomology at Wageningen University & Research

On 28 January 1926, the Laboratory of Entomology was founded at WUR. A century later, insect research is more important than ever, from biodiversity and food production to human and animal health.

At WUR, researchers study insects not just for what they are, but for the role they play in shaping the world around us. From plant–insect interactions to disease transmission by vectors like mosquitoes, this research helps tackle some of today’s biggest challenges.

Insects are essential to ecosystems, yet many species are in decline. All the more reason to better understand them.

Curious to learn more and celebrate with us? A series of public events will take place in April and May 2026, maybe we’ll see you there!

22/04/2026

👏🌱 “Soils are among our most valuable natural resources, but their sustainable use is under serious pressure.”

Congratulations to our new Chair of Soil Biology! As of April 1, Jan Willem van Groenigen has been appointed this role. His work focuses on something most people never see, but that affects all of us: soil life. From earthworms to microbes, these organisms play a crucial role in the future of sustainable agriculture.

In his new role, he aims to strengthen research on circular agriculture, looking at how recycled nutrients and organic materials can be better used with the help of soil organisms. At the same time, he remains strongly committed to education, inspiring the next generation of students in soil biology.

We look forward to seeing what’s ahead and wish him all the best in this new role!

Adres

Droevendaalsesteeg 2
Wageningen
6708PB

Telefoon

+31317480100

Website

https://www.wur.nl/

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