Welcome to Burning Lowlands, the Dream Team dedicated to finding interdisciplinary solutions for the increasing impacts of climate change.
For centuries, the Dutch have been adapting to water risks such as sea level rise, flooding, and heavy precipitation. Today, however, climate change is confronting the Lowlands with challenges like never before. In recent years, the Netherlands has faced unprecedented drought periods, intense heatwaves, and even the growing threat of wildfires. Yet, believe they will need to adapt their way of life due to climate change - far below the EU average of 72%.
This gap highlights the urgent need to raise awareness and develop innovative and practical solutions for increasing climate risks. By bringing together diverse academic backgrounds - from earth and environmental sciences to policy, computer science, ecology and communication - our team works together on one central mission: building a climate-resilient future for the Netherlands.
What does Burning Lowlands do?
Over the past year, we focused on wildfires, with special attention to:
- de Veluwe region - examining wildfire risks at the wildland-urban interface;
- Perceived risk - how individuals and communities in the Netherlands view the likelihood of wildfires affecting them;
- Perceived severity - how serious people believe the consequences of wildfires could be for society and the environment;
- Applied research - together with MEJOR Technologies, we examined how AI and technology can influence public understanding of wildfire threats.
We presented our research at the renowned in Vienna, drawing attention from the scientific community and the wider public. Read more about our research project and collaboration with MEJOR Technologies .
In the previous years, our team has also worked on analysing wildfire risk indicators, wildfire-related policies and stakeholder perspectives, and the suitability of personal protective equipment (PPE) in Dutch conditions.
At Burning Lowlands, we embrace transdisciplinarity - not only integrating diverse academic fields but also co-creating knowledge with industry partners, civil society, and local communities. For us, diverging interests and perspectives are not a barrier but a catalyst - they challenge us to develop creative, science-based solutions that different stakeholders can support. This approach is central to our mission of building a climate-proof future in the Netherlands.
Our impact
Through our work, we raise risk awareness, strengthen societal resilience and foster dialogue between science, policy and practice. We share our insights in workshops, conferences, and social media - always with the aim of making climate risks visible to a wide range of audiences and providing pathways for action.
As a member of Burning Lowlands, you will join a student-driven, interdisciplinary team working on some of today’s most urgent challenges. Together, we tackle climate-related risks and turn ideas into real solutions with social impact. Do you want to make a difference? Join us and be part of the change.
"In the past year, I learned a lot! Collaborating with students from different studies was super fun - I even liked it more than my studies!"
- Eva, History student
"This year was one of the highlights of my studies. It was inspiring and educational and really a special experience."
- Melanie, International Business Law student
Join the team
Are you curious, eager to learn, entrepreneurial and want to make a real impact? Send an e-mail to dreamteams@vu.nl with the title “Application - Burning Lowlands Dream Team” including your:
- CV
- Programme and year of study
- A paragraph or two telling us why you want to join our team
Why should you join Burning Lowlands?
- Interdisciplinary teamwork - collaborate with motivated students from different backgrounds (environmental science, public policy, communication, psychology, AI...)
- Hands-on experience - apply your academic knowledge to real-world climate challenges in the Netherlands
- Research & innovation - contribute to projects that combine science with practice, and present findings in professional, high-level settings
- Professional network - work with partners from industry, civil society, and academia and expand your career connections
- Personal growth - develop skills in teamwork, research, communication, leadership, and project management
- Social impact - contribute to tangible solutions that help communities adapt to climate risks and build a sustainable future
What do we expect from you?
- Time commitment - around 4 hours a week, including one weekly team meeting and independent work
- Interest in climate and society - curiosity about climate risks, adaptation, and resilience
- Project work - take an active role in research, communication, events, or outreach, depending on your background and interests, and help shape the project with your own ideas
Ambassadors:
Lecturer Ambassador: Dr Marleen de Ruiter
University lecturer at the Department of Water and Climate Risks at the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), VU Amsterdam. Co-chair of the international RiskKAN network.
Lecturer Ambassador:
Associate Professor of Geoarchaeology and Anthropocene Studies at VU Amsterdam. Expert in the long-term relationship between humans and landscape.
Researcher Ambassador:
Alex Neidermeier is a PhD Candidate in the Environmental Geography department at the Institute for Environmental Studies IVM. Her research focuses on fire spread modelling, forest health, and balancing fire risk and ecosystem services.
Lecturer Ambassador:
Marilena Mela is an Assistant Professor of Heritage Studies at the VU Department of Arts & Culture, History, and Antiquity. Her research interests lie at the intersection of heritage, sustainability, landscape, and climate.
This team is linked to the VU profile theme Connected World.