On September 1 2026, Dave Huitema joined AMS Institute as our Scientific Director.
Dave is Professor of Public Administration and Coordinator of the Sustainability Governance section at the Wageningen University & Research Social Sciences Group, with a focus on how governments can facilitate and steer sustainability transitions. With extensive expertise in circularity, climate adaptation, water management, the energy transition, and innovation processes, Dave brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to help guide AMS Institute in the years ahead.
“I am fascinated by how governments can actively facilitate sustainability transitions and how experimentation, learning-by-doing, and cross-sector collaboration can turn ideas into concrete innovation for complex urban transformations. Yet too often, initiatives remain one-off projects; the real challenge is scaling them. At AMS Institute, I see a key role in combining science, government, and society to support this process. By building knowledge, showcasing what works, and creating space to deviate from standard ways of working. I am very excited to bring this perspective to AMS Institute, where driving impact at the intersection of science, government, and society is put into practice every day.” – Prof. Dr. Dave Huitema
“As the AMS Board, we are pleased to appoint Dave Huitema as Scientific Director of the AMS Institute, the joint urban research institute of WUR and TU Delft. His extensive expertise in sustainability governance, climate adaptation, circularity, and innovation processes, together with his academic leadership at Wageningen University & Research, inspires strong confidence in his ability to guide AMS Institute in the years ahead. This appointment further reinforces AMS Institute’s firm roots in the complementary strengths of both TU Delft and WUR, strengthening its role in addressing the major transitions shaping metropolitan regions. We also express our sincere gratitude to Eveline van Leeuwen for her six years of dedicated leadership and contribution to urban research and collaboration within AMS Institute.” - Ron Mazier, Chair of the AMS Board