What do you do at VU Amsterdam and how (and especially why) did you end up here?

“I’m in the final phase of my PhD research and I’m hoping to finish my manuscript this summer. In my master's thesis, I was already thinking about human-animal relationships in biblical studies and theology, which led to a successful NWO grant application in consultation with my supervisors. Before that, I worked in mental healthcare for a number of years after completing a bachelor's degree in Applied Psychology. I think it's a great route to move from a more practice-oriented education and job to academic research. You’ve already been able to develop yourself professionally in a more versatile way, which comes in handy in contact with students, for example.”

What's your most important research theme, what makes it socially relevant, and why is it important right now?

“Today we live in the Anthropocene epoch: never before have human activities had such a major impact on the earth. One of the most harmful human influences is the massive wave of extinctions in the animal and plant world. Humanities scholars and eco-theologians alike agree that it’s crucially important to think about how we imagine the position and role of humans in relation to all other earthly life. As long as we’re only focused on human interests, the current mass extinction will continue unabated. So it’s important to explore how we can develop a more engaged attitude towards non-human life forms. The influence of our various philosophies plays a major role in this. They determine how we view the world and our own place in it, and provide an overarching narrative about it.

I explore the role that the Judeo-Christian religious tradition can play in a sustainable and biodiverse future. I take a critical look at the biblical conviction that humans – unlike other creatures – are created 'in God’s image' (imago Dei). Through the ages, believers have used this notion to defend humanity’s special and privileged position in, or in relation to, nature. Humankind would reflect something of God in a unique way. Some say that humanity occupies a place above nature, so it can do what it wants with it. Others, on the other hand, argue that people have been given a special responsibility to take care of their fellow creatures.

My research question relates to the potential that the notion of imago Dei has to address the problem of human-induced extinction and to promote ecological responsibility."

If there was one thing you would say to your 18-year-old self, what would it be?

"That I could be a bit more relaxed about things I’m less good at, because you can't excel at everything. Fortunately I'm not working with numbers now, but when I wanted to go to university to study psychology after high school (with a lot of underachievement), and needed a higher level of maths, I got completely stuck with the additional maths course on offer. I'm an absolute 'alpha' and I can still remember, for example, what my maths book looked (and smelled!) like in elementary school, while I’ve totally forgotten about the other teaching materials. At the time I was very disappointed, but now I’m happy with the route I took – because otherwise I’d have missed out on very instructive and formative experiences."