Sanne van der Hout

Short CV
2008 - now: PhD project ‘Epistemological profile and societal prospects of ecogenomics’, Radboud University Nijmegen
2008: MA in applied ethics (environmental ethics), Utrecht University and Norwegian University of Science and Technology
2007: Research project ‘Explore Philippines’ Cultural and Biological Diversity’, Leiden University
2007: MA in philosophy (continental philosophy), Leiden University

Research interests
During my studies of philosophy, I became increasingly interested in environmental issues. One week after graduating, I flew to the Philippines to participate in a research project focused on the conflict between nature conservation and the rights of indigenous people. Back in the Netherlands, I was accepted for the master programme of applied ethics, in which I further specialised in environmental philosophy.
Since August 2008, I work on a PhD project at Nijmegen University in which I assess the epistemological profile and societal prospects of ecological genomics (ecogenomics). Researchers in this newly emerging field aim to chart the relationship between organisms and their environments by studying the structure and functioning of genomes. As the goal of their studies is to develop techniques and applications that follow nature’s example, ecogenomicists expect that their field will bring about a more peaceful co-existence of humans and nature, and will lead to truly nature-friendly forms of interaction. One of the aims of my project is to explore whether it is justified to connect ecogenomics with nature friendliness: whereas a more profound understanding of nature’s processes might indeed enable more nature-friendly forms of interaction, such knowledge might at the same time lead to a more radical intrusion of humans into nature. Thanks to ecogenomics, the soil’s microbial resources have become visible to environmental science. Once made visible, they may enter the range of biotechnological intervention. A more profound understanding of nature’s processes may thus open up new possibilities for (genetic) modification.

Key words: Ecogenomics, sustainable technologies, nature conservation, biomimesis

Contact details
Sanne van der Hout, PhD researcher
Centre for Society and Genomics, Faculty of Science
Radboud University Nijmegen
P.O. Box 9010
6500 GL Nijmegen
Telephone: +31 (0)24 365 27 47
E-mail: Hout@society-genomics.nl