What drives our IMPACT Fellows? What groundbreaking research are they pursuing, and what personal motivations fuel their journeys? Through this bi-weekly interview series, we look into the minds of our fellows to uncover not just the science but the stories behind their work. Explore their experiences in the IMPACT programme and the unique perspectives they bring to their fields. This week, we had the chance to interview Ella Egberts.
Can you briefly describe your research project and its potential impact on society or the economy?
I investigate ancient water management systems in terraced landscapes. Through applying different scientific techniques like remote sensing, optically stimulated luminescence dating, and landscape archaeology, I try to uncover how people adapted their water management strategies to changes in land-use, changes in the environment, and the climate. Understanding our long-term interactive relationship with our environment, and learning from past successes and failures, hopefully helps society see that we are part of our natural environment and invites people to think about forging sustainable relationships with nature in preparation for future changes.
Coming from the Netherlands, what unique perspective do you bring to your field of study at VUB?
Before coming to the VUB I studied, worked and lived in different countries. This gave me the opportunity to develop multidisciplinary (geography, palaeo-ecology, geo-archaeology) skills and a wide international network. I like bringing people in contact to develop further collaborations and knowledge exchange. I hope that’s what I can bring to the VUB.
Related to my research at the VUB and the Netherlands specifically, is the shared theme of water. In the Netherlands we have an abundance of it, often too much. But in recent times also the Netherlands is facing droughts. An ancient old idea, used across the world, is storing (rain) water in nature and other reservoirs to balance out the extremes (too wet – too dry). I am a big advocate of using such time-tested, smart and at the same time low-tech solutions for our increasingly extreme weather and warming climate. With my research I hope to contribute to understanding the benefits of ancient water management techniques.
What’s been the most surprising or valuable aspect of the IMPACT programme for you so far?
Through the IMPACT programme, it clicked with me how entrepreneurial doing research is. Building on my modest experience in setting up a business for myself whilst working in academia, with the IMPACT programme I now consciously and simultaneously develop both my academic career and entrepreneurship skills. Applying the different approaches across both fields helps me progress in new ways.
If you could instantly become an expert in another field of study, which would you choose and why?
Oceanographer. I love the sea and am in awe of it. Its beauty and its power, its importance for all life on our planet, it connects all continents, and there is a whole other world to discover there. I already know I would find it difficult to choose a specialization!
Last but not least: What’s your favorite invention of all time?
The Bicycle. Perhaps stereotypical for a Dutch person, but being able to get around “under your own steam” (cheap and not unimportant: eco-friendly) already as a kid gave me a lot of independence and freedom. It’s still my preferred way of getting around and exploring Brussels!