Bram Bregman

Working on biodiversity and the rural environment is a very nice next step in which I can use my expertise in an issue that is currently at the center of social and political interest. I was trained in atmospheric sciences, and after obtaining my doctorate I sought to broaden my scope to include climate issues. Initially, I did this from the systems world with model development. Together with my Canadian colleagues we found out that climate models have fundamental mass conservation problems when it comes to spore gas dispersion. A very nice and interesting time. Still, it gnawed too much and I took the step outside of direct science practice to coordinator of climate policy at KNMI. I became partly responsible for the Dutch policy input in the IPCC reports. A look into the UN world. Super instructive. I also became proficient in science-policy interaction by working in the policy kitchen at the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment. To get a sense of impact, knowledge of the policy world is crucial. It brought me a lot. With all these insights, KNMI wanted me to be climate product group manager. I then became responsible for the impact of three departments at KNMI in a new MT. Wonderful time and very complex. Learned a lot. I found myself in a dilemma because after a few years I was asked to become Director of Innovation at Radboud University. An enormously difficult decision. I was far from finished at KNMI, but here I had a great opportunity to take the next step. I decided to take the plunge. I became responsible for the innovation and impact policy of the entire university. Very cool and I learned an incredible amount in the following years. Gained insight into a lot of innovative research in areas where you wouldn't expect it. Founded an innovation center. Very proud of it. I also gained a lot of insight into innovative ecosystems, the stages of innovation and met a lot of creative scientists. A wonderful timeHowever, my love for the profession began to grow stronger and I decided to return to the real world and climate issues. I quit my job (which was pretty scary) and joined Wageningen University and Research for two days a week to help position climate issues more broadly on campus. And then after a year PBL came to ask if I was interested in becoming sector head of NLG. Of course I just had to apply and compete with the rest. Not an advantage, but an opportunity. I grabbed it with both hands. This is where several things come together: climate and biodiversity as crucial exogenous drivers and the rural area where it all has to happen. I am a happy man. Also because NLG is a very nice sector and PBL a very nice organization. I almost forget that in between all the business I was able to establish a part-time chair at Radboud. Climate issues at the science-policy interface. Great to spar with students. I can now add biodiversity and landscape issues as well. I just have so little time for it.