Kees Jansen

This site describes the research and teaching activities of Kees Jansen, associate professor in the Rural Sociology group at Wageningen University (the Netherlands). I work in the fields of political ecology, critical agrarian studies and international development. My current research focusses on pesticide risk governance and the greening of the agrarian question. My major field work experience is in Latin America, but I have also been involved in research project in other parts of the world (the Philippines, Kazakhstan, Southern Africa). I intend to contribute to the further development of political ecology. Theoretically I am interested in rethinking linkages between technology and social justice, and between political ecology and risk theories. Using some key insights from critical realist theory we may be able to better conceptualize technology/nature-society interactions. In 2023 I have joined the editorial team of the Journal of Agrarian Change.

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Just out: Special of the Journal of Agrarian Change on Autonomy. Free access for a limited period

Guest editors: Kees Jansen & Leandro Vergara-Camus

Some other important things in life

I used to play classical guitar (favourite composers: Villa-Lobos & Carlevaro). Now I mostly play the bass guitar (Latin American music in our band). I draw much inspiration from my great bass teacher Jasper Somsen.

This is our garden. I designed it with the goal to have flowering plants throughout the whole year.

I make photographs of political graphiti.

Nice dinners with family and friends are the essence of good life in many cultures. I love them.

All photographs on this website by Kees Jansen; cover designs of theses and books by the respective authors; some photographs show art work in our house: Moed by Astrid Roquas, Carnaval by Alberto Medina Mendieta, unknown title (mountains and typical Kazakh symbolism) by Akhmet Akhat.

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