The University of Twente proudly hosted the inaugural lecture of Professor Marc van den Homberg, who has been appointed to the Princess Margriet Chair in Spatial Resilience for Disaster Risk Reduction at the Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC). Established in 2018, this prestigious chair is a joint initiative between the Netherlands Red Cross and ITC, aimed at advancing research and practical solutions in disaster risk management. Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet and Professor Pieter van Vollenhoven were present to witness this significant moment. Professor van den Homberg has held this position since November 2023.
Professor van den Homberg brings a wealth of experience to this role. Since 2016, Marc has been the scientific lead of 510, an initiative of The Netherlands Red Cross. He has helped shape the growth of 510 from its inception by developing and implementing an applied research agenda tailored to the needs of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and establishing close collaborations with universities and knowledge institutes. This has led to evidence and peer review of products and services -that the Netherlands Red Cross has introduced into the Movement- aiming to improve the quality, speed, and cost-effectiveness of humanitarian action. Before joining the Netherlands Red Cross, Marc led and co-founded the ICT for Development (ICT4D) team within TNO. With a PhD in Physics from Delft University of Technology, an MSc in physics from Utrecht University, and an MBA from Rotterdam School of Management, his academic credentials are complemented by extensive field experience in Africa and Asia. His work with the Netherlands Red Cross and various international organizations such as WMO and UNDRR has positioned him as a leader in the application of data and digital solutions for disaster risk management.
Collaborative efforts and future directions
The chair is closely linked to the ITC Centre for Disaster Resilience, which opened in October 2021, also in the presence of Princess Margriet and Professor Pieter van Vollenhoven. This centre serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research and collaboration, contributing to the UT Climate Center and the upcoming Master’s program in Humanitarian Engineering, set to launch in September 2025.
Chair with a noble legacy
The Princess Margriet Chair was created to honor the 75th birthday of Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands. The chair focuses on disaster resilience, a critical area of study given the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters worldwide. Professor Marc van den Homberg succeeds Maarten van Aalst, who has significantly contributed to the field during his tenure. The Princess Margriet Chair emphasizes the use of data and digital tools to enhance disaster preparedness and response. This approach aligns with the broader goals of the ITC and the University of Twente, which prioritize innovative, use-inspired research with tangible societal impacts. The chair will foster research that meets the needs of the Red Cross while grounding ITC’s academic pursuits in real-world humanitarian challenges.
