ELI member of the week: Goedele Van den Broeck

Every week, discover a new profile of a member of the Earth and Life Institute. This week, meet Goedele Van den Broeck, professor in ELI-A, head of the Agrifood Economics Research Group.  

Could you briefly introduce yourself, your role, and the work you do in ELI?

Goedele Van den Broeck, academic staff, ELI-A, professor in agrifood economics.

Could you tell us a little about your research team and your research topics?

I'm the head of Agrifood Economics Group: 

Overall, we conduct research to accelerate the transition toward more sustainable agrifood systems. Our research is grounded in agricultural and food economics, with frequent collaboration with other disciplines. 

We focus on three main themes: adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, monitoring and certification, and global and local food value chains. 

We examine a wide range of agrifood system actors, including farmers, farm workers, traders, certification bodies and consumers. Where relevant, we integrate perspectives from minorities, with particular attention to gender, youth and migrants.   
 

What was your career path before taking up your current post at ELI?

I graduated as a Master in Bio-science Engineering with specialisation in soil and water management in 2012 and obtained my PhD in agricultural economics in 2016, both from KULeuven. 

Then I got awarded a three-year FWO post-doctoral grant and spent research stays in the University of Goettingen in Germany, Wageningen University in the Netherlands, and the World Bank Group in Italy. 

In practical terms, what is your day-to-day life like?

A typical working day consists of having meetings with my PhD students to discuss their progress, teaching a course at the faculty of bio-engineers and interacting with students. 

I also block certain days to revise papers more in-depth, but unfortunately time for reading and conducting my own analyses has become very scant.

Do you have a hobby, a passion, a hidden talent, something you enjoy doing or care deeply about outside of work?

I love being outside in nature, whether it’s hiking or running; I love reading crime novels, especially situated in Scandinavia; and I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. Simple pleasures 😊

Can you name one thing you particularly appreciate at the Earth and Life Institute?

All researchers are working on solutions to make life on our planet more sustainable.