Alumni Stories

Alumni from the Sustainable Development programme find work in a number of different areas, including NGOs, governmental institutions, municipalities, research institutes and more. On this page you will find interviews and information about some of our alumni and find out about what they have been doing since graduating from the Sustainable Development Master's programme.

The Sustainable Development Master's programme helped me process scientific information quickly and translate it into relevant outcomes for society.

Sybrig Smit - Class of 2020

Alumni Stories

Please click on the links below to read interviews with recent alumni from the Sustainable Development programme. Find out more about their current careers, highlights from the programme and advice for future students.

  • Rachel Alderson - Graduated 2023

    Track: Environmental Change and Ecosystems

    Current position: Consultant Geomorphologist at Cbec Eco-engineering

    Design of process-based river restorations, evaluation of geomorphic risks, and support to natural flood management.

  • Sybrig Smit - Graduated 2020

    Track: Energy and Materials

    Current position: Advisor at Netherlands Scientific Climate Council

    The Scientific Climate Council (WKR) advises the government and parliament on the development of a climate-neutral and climate-resilient society, based on broad scientific insights and with an eye to other societal challenges. 

  • Sybren Bosch - Graduated 2015

    Track: Energy and Materials

    Current position: Co-entrepreneur Copper8

    Consultancy on circular economy, policy and strategy development, circular procurement and construction

  • Lotte Grünwald - Graduated 2023

    Track: Earth System Governance

    Current position: Project Manager at Qomunity

    Development and management of social impact projects with housing cooperatives, municipalities, and community actors to drive sustainable neighborhood transformation and strengthen local resilience.

Alumni Interview - Anne Luijten

Please watch the video below for an interview with Anne Luijten, an alumni of the programme who is also an olympic athlete. Anne graduated from the programme in 2019 and is currently working with the city of Arnhem as Management Advisor for Green Living.

Alumni Interview - Michele Joie Prawiromaruto

Michele Joie Prawiromaruto studied Sustainable Development in the Earth Systems Governance track and graduated in 2024. After graduating, Michele completed an internship at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific working on the Sustainable Development Goals. Click to watch the video below, where we talk with Michele about her academic background, experiences in the programme and career plans.

Alumni Interview - Esra Erdogan/Oskar Kulik

In the video below you can get to know two of our alumni who attended the recent Copernicus Institute alumni gathering and find out more about their professional lives since studying Sustainable Development.