Bioeconomics | KU Leuven

#MeetTheTeam Meet Mika Michiels Mika earned a master’s degree in bio-engineering specializing in molecular catalytic technology, in June this year at KU Leuven. For his PhD, he will explore the application of renewable, locally produced hydrogen for clean cooking and cooling in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to joining our Agricultural & Rural Development Research Group, he will dedicate half of his time to working with the Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis Characterisation and Application Team (COK-KAT) group, where he will focus on the technical aspects of his research. #BioeconKUL

♻ We are approaching the final phase of the Rustica EU Project. Our consortium has worked since January 2021 on the development of bio-based fertilisers, based on waste streams from fruit and vegetables in Europe and Colombia. We investigated the potential of different technologies for waste valorization, explored the opportunities and bottlenecks in legislation and regulation, and we analysed the agronomic and economic performance of bio-based fertilizer blends.   On the 27th of November, we will hold our final conference in Leuven (BE), titled "From research to practice: implementing circular bio-based fertilisers". At this conference, we will present the outcomes of the project as well as the policy implications and recommendations. Registrations for the conference are open. You can register here: https://lnkd.in/eh_JMdaW   

You are kindly invited to the Rustica EU Project Global Workshop, which provides a unique opportunity to explore the future of circular bio-based fertilisers and their role in advancing sustainable agriculture. The workshop will examine the EU Green Deal's impact on both European and Global South contexts, highlighting innovative approaches, market adoption and policy support needed to scale bio-based fertilisers. The programme will offer interactive discussions and valuable networking opportunities, encouraging participants to share experiences, engage in dialogue, and critically reflect. Register here: https://lnkd.in/ezfra3RP

📢 New paper alert! “Disaster risk reduction measures and farmers choices: a discrete choice experiment in Uganda” By Rodgers Mutyebere, Iris Vanermen, Kato Van Ruymbeke, Jean Bosco NKURIKIYE, Ronald Twongyirwe, PhD, Dr. John Sekajugo (PhD), Clovis Kabaseke, Violet Kanyiginya, Grace Kagoro-Rugunda, Matthieu Kervyn & Liesbet Vranken Read more: https://lnkd.in/eY_9NyVk

🚀 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐔𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬! 🎓 We are just a few days away from the 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭, taking place on 15 October at Flanders Business School. If you're interested in action research and want to engage with experts in the field, there’s still time to register! 🌱 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥: ✔ Keynotes and presentations from Barbara van Mierlo Caroline Amrom Ines Cottignie Marija Roglic Diana Borniotto Amber Steyaert Véronique De Herde ✔ Insights into the challenges, and innovations in action research in food systems. ✔ Opportunities for discussion with professionals in the field. ✔ A sustainable lunch ✔ End the day with a networking drink, offering the chance to informally connect with speakers and fellow attendees 🗓 𝔻𝕒𝕥𝕖: 15 October, 12:00-18:00 📍 𝕃𝕠𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟: Flanders Business School, Sint-Katelijnevest 26-28, Antwerp ⏳ 𝕄𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕚𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 + 𝕣𝕖𝕘𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟: https://lnkd.in/e8yBqMRj Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect, learn, and contribute to the discussion on action research in food systems! Bart Van Looy Erik Mathijs Philippe Baret Bioeconomics | KU Leuven Sytra - UCLouvain KU Leuven Université catholique de Louvain Flanders Business School - FBS BELSPO

#MeetTheTeam Meet Pauline Denoël Pauline Denoël graduated in 2023 in bio-engineering from Université catholique de Louvain with a master's degree in Food, Health, and Nutrition. After a one-year journey travelling from Europe to South Amercia by sailboat and bicycle, she is now a PhD student at the Society-Environment Interactions research group, focusing on sustainable food systems. Her PhD research focuses on building resilience through inclusive and personalized food labeling. #BioeconKUL

Benieuwd naar de resultaten van het Rustica EU Project (afloop eind 2024), en wat deze betekenen voor de Vlaamse/Nederlandse context? We nodigen u graag uit op de laatste regionale RUSTICA Stakeholder meeting op 18 oktober, 10u-12u (online). Graag registreren via dit formulier: https://lnkd.in/e-UUC7sX Graag tot dan!

#MeetTheTeam Meet Eva Maes 👩🎓 Eva is a new member of the Society-Environment Interactions research group. She holds a MSc degree in Business Economics and Sustainable Development, both obtained at KU Leuven. After a one-year break as a sustainability consultant, she returned to KU Leuven to pursue research in sustainable food consumption and production. 👩🔬 During her PhD research, Eva will research the adoption of soybean as a crop for Belgian farmers and consumers. #BioeconKUL

EU CAP Network meeting in Brussels - interesting dialogues on best practices and strategies for more sustainable food value chains Bioeconomics | KU Leuven

👨🎓 Please join us in welcoming Dr. Mercy-Gloria Ashepet to the stage! 🐌 Two days ago, we had the privilege of attending Mercy-Gloria's PhD defense on the topic of "Citizen Science in the Global South: Motivational Frameworks and Policymaker Perspectives". She carried out case studies on citizen science for natural hazard risk management and vector-born disease reduction in Uganda. 🙏This research is the result of a collaborative effort between Mercy-Gloria and her (co-)promotors prof. Liesbet Vranken, Dr. Tine Huyse, Dr. Caroline Michellier and Prof. Grace Kagoro Rugunda. 🎉 Congratulations, Mercy!