Professor Dr. Erik Van Der Vleuten

Biography

Erik van der Vleuten is a Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology, holding the Chair of History and Technology at the History Lab since 2015. His research focuses on the modern and contemporary history of socio-technical transitions and sustainability challenges in the infrastructured world. He initiated and coordinated the 'Tensions of Europe' research program, exploring the relationships between technology and societal challenges from 1800 to 2050. Erik is particularly interested in diverse sustainability histories and futures in distant-yet-connected regions around the globe. He has an extensive academic background, having received his master's degree in Technology & Society from Eindhoven University of Technology in 1992 and a PhD in the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine from the University of Aarhus in Denmark in 1998. Since his return to Eindhoven in 1999, he has participated in founding the research community 'Tensions of Europe', focusing on the technological development in Europe from 1850 to 2000, and chaired the related network from 2013 to 2015. He has also co-directed the NW Posthumus interuniversity research school's global history network from 2009 to 2018. Erik serves as the scientific director for the Foundation for the History of Technology and is a regular speaker and contributor to leading publications and conferences.

Research Interests