How can we explain the developments of the Netherlands’ immense effects in global sustainability trade-offs? The huge Dutch imports of raw materials and goods have been causing profound impacts in economic, social, and ecological developments elsewhere on the planet. These trade-offs have historical origins. In this PhD project you will study how from the nineteenth century onwards, scientific knowledge, colonial developments and industrial modernization contributed to the development of transnational production chains of edible oils, fats and protein. These connected the Netherlands food and agriculture with the rest of the world. This historical study analyses the developments and provides perspectives for contemporary initiatives in protein and food transitions.
Your research is embedded in a larger research program Sustainability Trade-offs in the Netherlands’ Entangled Modernisation (STONEM), 1900-2020 at Eindhoven University of Technology (TUe) and Utrecht University (UU), in collaboration with Wageningen University and Research, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and other societal partners. The STONEM research program will investigate the historical developments of Dutch trade-flows with am mixed method approach combining quantitative data in trend analysis and sustainability monitors with qualitative historical and ethnographic analyses. More about the research approaches, concepts and context of the program can be found on the STONEM webpage.
At TUe you will work in the multidisciplinary environment of the Technology Innovation and Society (TIS) research group of Eindhoven University of Technology. Your project will connects to ongoing research on global sustainability histories at the Eindhoven History Lab, transitions studies and development studies at TIS; studies of the protein transition of the Knowledge, Technology and Innovation Group of Wageningen University. Furthermore your project connects to ongoing research on Deep Transitions in The Netherlands and research of Utrecht Center for Global Challenges at Utrecht University, that also host a PhD candidate at the Economic and Social history research group. Together with our societal partners your results become visible in (inter)national policy realms on international trade and sustainable developments.
Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with societal partners and advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow.
The Technology, Innovation & Society group at the TU/e School of Innovation Sciences, which hosts the History Lab, researches and teaches about the role of innovation and technology in sustainability challenges and transitions from economic, STS, transition studies, and historical perspectives.
The TU/e History lab studies the role of technology in societal challenges and transitions in a long-term perspective and investigates how historical knowledge can be made transformative.
Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more?
Please contact the hiring manager dr. ir Frank Veraart, assistant professor, f.c.a.veraart[at]tue.nl.
If you are interested in the counterpart to this position on ore and metals hosted by Utrecht University, please check STONEM website.
Websites: TU/e History Lab; TU/e Technology, Innovation & Society group; WUR Knowledge, Technology and Innovation Group; Foundation for History of Technology
Procedure: Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact Kim Spinder – van Puijenbroek (HR Advisor), pz.ieis[at]tue.nl.
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We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.
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