Dr. Frank Van Laerhoven

Biography

Frank van Laerhoven is an Associate Professor at Utrecht University with a research focus on environmental governance, particularly the governance of ecosystems. His research agenda emphasizes common pool resources (CPRs), socio-ecological systems, decentralization reforms, and local democracy participation. He seeks to address collective action dilemmas within these frameworks. Van Laerhoven earned his Ph.D. in Public Policy from Indiana University in 2008, under the supervision of Elinor Ostrom. His dissertation examined local governance regimes as they relate to the environment and rural development in various countries, including Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and Chile. Prior to his academic career, he worked from 1996 to 2002 on environmental policy issues as an international civil servant and consultant for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Senegal and Chile, respectively.

Research Interests

Experience