MSCA Fellow: Philip Minderhoud
Science doesn’t stop when it is published in a scientific journal; it is an ongoing process in which science and society together thrive towards a better future!
Philip Minderhoud is an MSCA Fellow at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering. He comes from the Netherlands, where he studied and worked as an earth scientist in academia.
We can all see that sea level is rising, and we blame climate change for that. Philip tells us that the phenomenon may also be caused instead by the sinking of river deltas and coastal areas. Philip makes us aware of what is happening in our Veneto region, as he studies the Po delta and the Venice lagoon. Let’s read his interview and watch his videos in the field!
Can you explain what your research work is about?
In my research, I study the sinking of river deltas and coastal areas, such as the Po delta and the Venice lagoon. Climate change is causing sea level to rise, but in many places the land itself is sinking as well. We call this process land subsidence. When a coastal area sinks, this results in a local increase in relative sea-level rise. For example, if you sink, sea level appears to rise faster. It is very important to study this phenomenon, as at the moment people worldwide living along the coast are actually experiencing more relative sea-level rise due to delta subsidence than due to global warming.
What impact do you expect your research project will have? Who will benefit from your research?
I am developing a new computer model together with my colleagues at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering (DICEA), as well as an approach to simulate the processes of land subsidence in deltas. We are doing this so that we can create better predictions of future subsidence. This will help policymakers and delta managers to make future management plans that take into account not just sea-level rise but also subsidence.
You obtained your PhD in Utrecht – NL and continued working there as a postdoc; why did you decide to come to Padua?
Padua is the university where the first 3D model of land subsidence for the iconic city of Venice was built, back in 1973 by Prof. Gambolati. This shows the long tradition in this field of research and the unique knowledge that has been gathered here since then. The research group I work with at Padua is under the supervision of Professor Pietro Teatini, who is world-famous in the field of land subsidence. Together with, for example, Claudia Zoccarato (PhD), Professor Massimiliano Ferronato, Andrea Franceschini (PhD) and others, I am able to learn many new skills and gain knowledge on how to create land subsidence models for deltas. Besides these reasons, Padua is also a very nice city to live in and, at its ancient university, you can breathe an inspiring academic atmosphere.
You have been active in outreach activities for the general public for many years: why is it important for you to communicate science?
One great motivation for me in doing scientific research is the possibility of addressing an important societal issue, in my case the sinking of deltas. I believe that, through science, we can learn a great deal about how natural deltas and landscapes function. This will help humans live more in sync with natural processes, rather than having to fight them, and in a sustainable way.
Through my research, I have made several societally relevant discoveries and I feel that, as scientists, we have a duty to society to share such new insights and engage in dialogue and cooperation to translate science into policy and science into society. For me, science doesn’t stop when it is published in a scientific journal; it is an ongoing process in which science and society thrive through one another, towards a better future.
On the one hand, I try to communicate my science to a broader public in order to raise general awareness and, on the other hand, I also work a great deal with policymakers, NGOs and government institutes that aim to solve the problem of sinking deltas.
What are your plans for the future, after you complete your MSCA-IF fellowship?
While finishing my MSCA-IF project as a part-time fellow, I am also taking up an Assistant Professorship position at the University of Wageningen, in the Netherlands. I have always enjoyed working at different institutes and establishing connections, and I am glad that I am able both to continue and complete my MSCA research and to work on the next step in my scientific career. It will also strengthen the connection between UNIPD and Wageningen University.
I believe my MSCA-IF definitely helped me to be appointed to this position. One of the main goals of the MSCA-IF is to support an early-career researcher in securing a position in science and, in this regard, my fellowship has already been a success.
What would you suggest to a researcher who is thinking about applying for an MSCA-IF?
Without trying to sound clichéd, my MSCA-IF has so far been an amazing journey. It really pushed me to take a step up in my academic development. Working in a different country, with a different research culture and in a different scientific field, has been an experience that exceeded my expectations. If you are considering an MSCA-IF, don’t be put off by the odds; just go for it. It may change your life for the better, which it certainly did in my case.
As a concrete suggestion when you plan to apply, try to imagine where and who you want to be in ten years’ time and see how the MSCA-IF can help you achieve that future. Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favour!
Do you wish to learn more about Philip’s work? Click on the following links and enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHwY6miQ2Zs