Marit Meijer, PhD candidate at the Rural Sociology Group, shares her excitement about the group’s community spirit and how it fuels her research into alternative food networks in crisis-stricken urban areas of sub-Saharan Africa.

“After joining the Rural Sociology Group, I was quickly inspired by the infectious enthusiasm and strong sense of community. My research into alternative food networks in sub-Saharan Africa is driven by this collective passion, which encourages creativity and innovation at every turn.”

Read more about Marit’s research here.

Jessica Duncan, Associate Professor at the Rural Sociology Group, discusses her passion for exploring the politics of food system transformation and how collaborative projects like SWIFT are driving gender-inclusive changes in agriculture.

“For the past decade, I’ve been privileged to work with an incredibly diverse and committed group at the Rural Sociology Group. Together, we challenge assumptions and address structural barriers to change. Projects like SWIFT, which focuses on gender-inclusive policies in agriculture, demonstrate the real-world impact of our work.”

Read more about the SWIFT project here.

Anna Roodhof, PhD Candidate at the Rural Sociology Group, discusses her passion for exploring the social and economic possibilities of food forestry in the Netherlands, and the collaborative spirit that drives innovation at the Rural Sociology Group.

“At Rural Sociology, I’m passionate about meaningful work that bridges research and practice. My focus on the social and economic possibilities of food forestry in the Netherlands allows me to collaborate with both practitioners and colleagues, fostering an environment of shared knowledge and innovation.

🔗 Anna regularly shares updates about her experiences as a food forest sociologist on her personal blog. Take a look here.

Han Wiskerke, Professor and Chair of the Rural Sociology Group, shares his passion for understanding the dynamics of agriculture, rural development, and food provisioning. Discover how his leadership and research are making a difference in addressing contemporary challenges like farmer protests.

“As Chair of the Rural Sociology Group since 2004, I’ve witnessed the critical importance of understanding the dynamics of agriculture, rural development, and food provisioning. Our research not only sheds light on issues like farmer protests but also offers solutions for the future. Leading a team of passionate individuals who thrive collectively is what drives me every day.”

Watch more “Rural Sociology: Passionate@Work” videos here.

Discover the heartbeat of our workplace in the video series “Rural Sociology: Passionate@Work”. Join us as team members share the driving forces that make working at the Rural Sociology Group a fulfilling experience. From shared values to exciting projects, get an inside look at what fuels our enthusiasm and commitment.

In our fourth episode, we showcase Anke de Vrieze, who shares her enthusiasm for fostering collaborative processes and innovative methods. Anke is actively involved in the Transformative Learning Hub at the Centre for Space, Place and Society. Feel free to visit their website if want to know more, click here.