Aline Van der Werf

Program Manager at BELSPO

1. Could you briefly describe your work?

I am Programme Manager at the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO), which entails being responsible
for launching, implementing and following-up biodiversity and ecosystem related research initiatives ,
namely : research programmes, research activities, research e-infrastructures and a key science-policy
interface in the field of biodiversity : the Belgian Biodiversity Platform. Those initiatives are assembled
in a rotating machine, pulling along more and more scientists to identify and address new research
challenges and to provide evidence based knowledge called on by a wide variety of policy-makers.

2. What are the main challenges you face?

Fund-raising! It is a daily challenge to convince our authorities that funding biodiversity research is
crucial. The current multi-crisis period is arduous; Research & Development is a sector that does not
receive enough political support. Biodiversity research is too often mistakenly considered as a “luxury
science”.

3. We often hear that the landscape of research is too fragmented and that funds are not effectively allocated
in Belgium. Is it your conviction?

I do not share this view. I think that biodiversity is such a complex issue that it calls for a wide spectrum
of research from very fundamental science to applied research as well as multiple expertise. A
continuous effort is undertaken to integrate disciplines, to coordinate and align research initiatives that
are supported by different levels of authorities in order to avoid overlaps and encourage synergies.
The Belgian Biodiversity Platform has been very active in this regard.