PhD: Developing a Whole School Approaches to Regenerative Agriculture

Do you have a passion for transforming agricultural education? Are you interested in how schools can inspire the next generation of farmers to embrace regenerative practices? Do you want to explore innovative ways to create hope, agency, and attractive futures for young people in agriculture? Are you proficient in Dutch and Engelish? Then this PhD position may be of interest to you.

In October 2024 a new, large-scale project focused on regenerative agriculture in the Netherlands will commence. Together with regenerative Dutch farmers, ReGeNL is developing a future-proof agricultural sector in which agriculture goes hand in hand with soil improvement and restoration of biodiversity, and a good revenue model for farmers. Between now and 2030, ReGeNL will start the transition to regenerative agriculture with 1000 farmers. The aim is to make regenerative agriculture the new normal by 2040.

This PhD will be one of 19 PhDs being recruited to support the monitoring, modelling and valuing of regenerative farms in the Netherlands. This large-scale transdisciplinary project (ReGeNL) will assess which combinations of practices contribute to regenerative outcomes at 8 different types of regenerative agriculture systems. The project aims to be an accelerator for the transition to a regenerative, remunerative and socially supported agricultural sector.

Green education, also referred to as vocational agricultural education, plays an important role in preparing future generations of farmers and other professionals in the food chain. Pathways towards farming systems and value chains that are regenerative and more sustainable, require new ways of thinking, sensing, valuing and acting, sometimes combined with the revival of traditional ways. How can green schools develop forms of teaching, learning and capacity-building that engage students meaningfully in the development of regenerative agriculture and land use? An important sub-question is: how to create agency, hope and attractive futures for young people in agriculture?

In this research you will work with the concept of a Whole School Approach (WSA) as a lens for enacting a systemic and integral approach to realizing this challenge. The WSA implies that attention will need to be paid to the schools’ vision and ethos, the curriculum, pedagogy and learning, the schools as a living practice and lab itself, the relationship with the community and the region and, lastly the professional development of all staff.

You will work here
The research is embedded within the chair of Education & Learning Sciences of WUR, more specifically, within the section focusing on education, learning and capacity building for sustainability. which is led by personal chair prof. Arjen Wals. You will be co-supervised by dr. Margriet Goris of the Rural Sociology Group of WUR.

Requirements:

You have/ You are:

• developed some expertise in the education and learning sciences and, ideally some experience with education and learning in the context of sustainable development;
• affinity with societal challenges in the domains of agriculture and food systems;
• motivated to work in a transdisciplinary project with many project partners, including those from the (vocational) green education sector;
• a team player.

You also possess:

• a successfully completed MSc degree in: education and learning sciences, sociology, anthropology, cultural geography, political science or an adjacent field;
• knowledge of and experience with quantitative and/or qualitative methods;
• excellent writing and presentation skills.

For this position your command of the English and Dutch language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognized Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here

Salary Benefits:

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.

The gross salary for the first year is € 2.872 - per month rising to € 3.670,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in The Netherlands , and at a university that has been chosen by students as the “Best University” in the country for the 19th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. We can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

38 hours per week

Droevendaalsesteeg