This year the KNGMG has invited prof. Hans de Bresser’s for the 2025 Staring Lecture (“Lessons learned for the future of Earth Science Education”). In this last year before his retirement we would like to take the opportunity to celebrate his career and expertise with this symposium. There will be accompanying presentations by Maarten Kleinhans (Utrecht University) and Sandra Verhagen (Delft University of Technology), followed by a debate on earth science education, moderated by Kees van Ojik (EBN). The language of the day will be English.
Date: 27 November 2025
Location: Auditorium, TNO Utrecht, Princetonlaan 6, Utrecht.
Programme:
1:30 pm: doors open
14:00 pm – 15:00 pm: Staring lecture by prof. Hans de Bresser ‘Lessons learnt for the future of Earth Science Education’
15:00 pm – 15:30 pm: Maarten Kleinhans ‘Thinking about education and earth sciences’
15:30 pm– 16:00 pm: break
16:00 pm – 16:30 pm: Sandra Verhagen ‘From Technical Earth Sciences to Earth, Climate and Technology’
16:30 pm – 17:00 pm: interactieve discussion, lead by Kees van Ojik
17:00 pm – 18:00 pm: drinks
Onlin registration is not possible anymore. You can still register at the reception of TNO.
Staring lecture “Lessons learnt for the future of Earth Science Education” by Hans de Bresser
Energy transitions, climate change, man-made natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, the Critical Raw Materials Act: the field of earth sciences has changed significantly in recent decades. Prof. Hans de Bresser can offer us unique insights into the development of education during these and previous turbulent times. Starting as a Geology student in Utrecht in 1977, Hans experienced the upheavals in earth science education firsthand from his student times onwards. After transitioning from PhD student to assistant and associate professor, Hans has been Professor of Teaching and Learning in the Earth Sciences Environment at Utrecht University in 2017. He has previously served as Director of Education for the Earth Sciences program, Vice-Dean of Education at the Faculty of Geosciences, Director of the Honors College in Geosciences, Chair of the Utrecht University Teaching Career Task Force, and Member of the Advisory Board of the Center of Academic Teaching in Utrecht. Professor de Bresser will retire in 2026. After this long and fruitful teaching-focused career we are excited to hear the message he can offer us, the academic and professional earth sciences community in the Netherlands, for the future.
“Thinking about Education and Earth Sciences” by Maarten Kleinhans
Prof. Kleinhans has not only made his mark as a scientist, specializing in rivers, estuaries, deltas, and debris flows on Earth and Mars, but is also a philosopher of science with an inward-looking perspective on society. This work flourished again during a NIAS fellowship in 2019/2020, and he is now Director of Education (‘whoever digs a nice big hole, gets an even bigger shovel as a reward’). During this symposium, Maarten Kleinhans will address three interrelated questions that our educational practices should ask more often: What is the nature of the earth sciences in its entirety? How do scientists learn, and how do students learn? What thinking skills do alumni need for their professional contributions to society?
“From Applied Earth Sciences to Earth, Climate and Technology” by Sandra Verhagen
This academic year, Delft University of Technology is launching their revamped curriculum: Applied Earth Sciences is now Earth, Climate and Technology. The new curriculum offers a more holistic view of everything related to earth science engineering. Hydrocarbons exploration and production has faded into the background, and the focus is on engineering skills and their energy-transition related applications. This matches Delfts current view on how modern earth scientists can contribute to society, focusing not only on the deep subsurface but also on climate and weather. As of September 1st, 94 first-year students have been working with the new program. As Director of Education, Dr. Sandra Verhagen has overseen this reform. What motivated this process, and what obstacles were encountered? How significant is the actual change?
“Education and the Professional Field: a conversation” with discussion leader Kees van Ojik
In this interactive section, we explore our current position as a mixed audience. What is the best way forward? How can we continue to connect with the experiences of today’s prospective students and ensure they engage and stay engaged before, during, and after their studies? Can academia deliver what the professional field needs? Time for a lively discussion with everyone present, moderated by Kees van Ojik.
