We are excited to announce that, as of September 1, Dave Huitema will join AMS Institute as our new 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
“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.”
Ron Mazier
Chairman
A new beginning that also marks a closing chapter
At the same time, this new beginning marks a closing chapter for our community, as it means a farewell to our current Scientific Director, Eveline van Leeuwen, after six years of tremendous dedication to AMS Institute. Through her leadership, passion for transdisciplinary research, and commitment to tackling urban challenges together with society, Eveline has played a vital role in shaping AMS Institute into what it is today.
Before officially handing over her role and returning to Wageningen University & Research as chairholder of the Urban Economics Group and member of the Academic Board on 1 September, she will give a public talk at Science & Cocktails on 22 June at Paradiso Tolhuistuin. In this evening lecture, she will reflect on the concept of “doughnut cities”: urban environments where both human needs and planetary boundaries are central. A topic that lies at the heart of many of today’s urban transitions. If you want to join, please register your ticket via the Paradiso website.
Join us in reflecting on Eveline’s vision on transdisciplinary research and real-world solutions for urban challenges. Read the interview we published in our ’24-‘25 Impact Digest.
About AMS Institute
AMS Institute is a unique transdisciplinary urban research institute and innovation ecosystem, rooted in its founding institutes TU Delft, Wageningen University & Research, and MIT, and shaped by its partnership with the City of Amsterdam. As a thought leader, accelerator, and learning community, we develop groundbreaking scientific insights, imaginative solutions, and impactful technologies. We research critical and interconnected challenges in mobility, energy, circularity, digitalization, food, and climate adaptation to accelerate the development of tangible metropolitan solutions.