Christa Blokhuis is a postdoctoral researcher in the department of Environmental Geography at the Institute of Environmental Studies (IVM) of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. She is an environmental systems analyst and modeller who applies inter- and transdisciplinary methods in her work to support the development of effective strategies for a future-proof food system.
Her current research focusses on reconnecting people and food chains across five European food chains as part of RESHAPE, one of the FutureFoodS projects. In collaboration with the European partners, Christa applies a mixed-method transdisciplinary approach, which engages local stakeholders and examines environmental, socio-cultural, political, and economic dimensions, drivers and leverage points, emphasising biodiversity, food waste, social justice, and system feedback loops. In particular, she will contribute to setting up and maintaining a Dutch Living Lab around the Gouda cheese chain and exploring the society-food system decoupling.
During her doctoral research, Christa developed a systemic understanding of the consumer shift towards more plant-based diets using causal loop diagrams, group model building, and simulation modelling. She explored the multiple scale levels, different models of reality, and dynamics of the food environment in light of the protein transition. Prior to starting her PhD, Christa worked at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), where she contributed to innovative ways to measure, interpret and compile environmental data for applications in citizen science and integrated assessment modelling.
Expertise
Environmental sciences, socio-ecological systems, systems analysis, systems thinking, simulation modelling, participatory methods, interdisciplinary research, quantitative data-analysis, qualitative data-analysis, food consumption behaviour, food systems, agriculture
Education
2026: PhD in Protein transition in a dynamic food environment: a systems approach, Wageningen University
2014: MSc in Environmental Systems Analysis, Wageningen University
2012: Bsc in Liberal Arts & Sciences, Utrecht University
