Biodiversity is under severe pressure. The number of species is declining both globally and locally, and this has direct consequences for the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we rely on. We can still reverse this trend: by working on solutions that truly make an impact together with policy makers, businesses, researchers, citizens, and societal organizations. But we also need to address the problem at its root cause: our role as humans in relation to other species and natural ecosystems. In this Thesis Lab, we will revise human-nature relationships to improve biodiversity and diver deeper into how it affects our policies, businesses, and everyday life. Leiden Biodiversity Network will facilitate this exploration.
Back to the LDE Thesis Labs page
For Organisations and Researchers
Do you have a research question or practical challenge related to biodiversity and human-nature interactions? Apply via the LDE network, here! We are looking for projects from all kinds of organizations: research institutes, companies, municipalities, citizen initiatives etc. Deadline: 17 August 2026.
The relationship between humans, nature and biodiversity is mutually dependent: humans are completely dependent on healthy and biodiverse ecosystems, meanwhile human activities are impacting these same ecosystems. As part of nature, humans rely on a wide range of ecosystem services, such as food production, clean air and water, climate regulation, health and wellbeing. On the other hand, human-driven actions are the main cause of biodiversity loss worldwide. Think of deforestation, intensive agriculture, overfishing, environmental pollution, and eutrophication. Ecosystems become less resilient when species disappear.
The relationship between humans on the one hand, and biodiversity and other species on the other, becomes tangible in our everyday decisions and actions. For example, when we design our cities and build our houses or business parks. When we choose to bring plants and flowers into our homes, thereby impacting the environment. When we decide if is and isn't responsible when allowing children to play outside. Or how we respond to wolves, or to rats in our cities. And even: what strategies we use to protect nature, how we organize and execute our educational programs, or how we structure our financial systems.
Reflective or more practically oriented research question
All of these different perspectives are relevant in this Thesis Lab, you can choose which perspectives interest you most. You will carry out your own thesis project based on the assignments in the booklet. You can choose between a reflective research question with a more academic or philosophical orientation, or a more practical biodiversity challenge with a stronger case-based or local orientation. We are looking for a variety of disciplines, such as biodiversity, humanities, environmental sciences, governance, social studies, archeology, landscape architecture, and business studies.
Manifesto
In your research, you will collaborate with partners from the Leiden Biodiversity Network. Next to that you will join a 12-session by-weekly program between Januari and July 2027. Together with other students and societal partners, you will develop a manifesto with recommendations to start the conversation about what human-nature relationships mean to society.
Main Challenge
How can we (as humans) revise our relationship with biodiversity and other species, to reduce the damage we make to the natural systems?
Case holder
The Leiden Biodiversity Network (LBN) aims to turn the tide and cherish life on earth, by understanding, protecting and strengthening biodiversity: in Leiden, in the Netherlands, and across the rest of the world. LBN is an initiative of the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden University, Hortus botanicus Leiden, Hogschool Leiden and Leiden Kennisstad. More than 250 professionals and researchers are involved. They are committed to fresh collaborations, boundary-pushing research, and innovative projects (such as Expedition City Nature). With support from the Municipality of Leiden and Leiden Kennisstad, Leiden is developing into a powerful biodiversity hotspot.
