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From 1 November 2025, Jarno Hoekman will be appointed Professor of Science Studies for Sustainability. In this new role, Hoekman will advance education and research on the governance and organisation of science to address the sustainability challenges of our time. This responds to a growing need for interdisciplinary collaboration and new forms of engagement between science and society, particularly in the field of sustainability.

With a broad expertise in Science, Technology and Innovation Studies as well as Human Geography, Hoekman will contribute to an increased understanding of the sustainability and societal impacts of scientific research and the value of open science. His work sheds light on how science systems are transitioning in order to respond to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, as well as related public health challenges. Building on his research into the governance of science, he will particularly focus on studying and promoting new institutional arrangements for scientific knowledge production, use, and evaluation that are open and responsible.

We need to better understand how our science systems are changing and how we can steer them responsibly. Science is expected to help address the planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss, but often struggles to live up to these expectations.

After finishing his studies in Human Geography and Planning at Utrecht ľ�ϸ���Ӱ��, Hoekman pursued a PhD in Science and Innovation Studies at Eindhoven ľ�ϸ���Ӱ�� of Technology. He then held a postdoctoral position at the ľ�ϸ���Ӱ�� of Groningen before returning to Utrecht ľ�ϸ���Ӱ�� to work at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Since 2015, he has been Assistant Professor and since 2021 Associate Professor in Innovation Studies at the Department of Sustainable Development (Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development).

The Department of Sustainable Development attracts highly ambitious students and early career professionals. In his teaching, Hoekman aims to strengthen their reflexive capacity and their inter- and transdisciplinary competences, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to addressing the urgent sustainability challenges of our time. In his research, Hoekman seeks the connection with the university as an institution: “I aim to advance our understanding of science systems in transition in times of planetary crises, and simultaneously contribute to making the university a transformative institution in society.”

Annemarie van Wezel, Dean of the Faculty of Geosciences: “The focus of the chair on science studies in relation to sustainability provides a unique positioning to lead research and education in the domain. Hoekman’s focus on the possibilities for regulatory use of his work, as well as his contributions on open science, responsible research and innovation and transdisciplinarity will be a true inspiration for colleagues and students.”