IIASA Biodiversity and Natural Resources Program Director, Petr Havlík, has been awarded an honorary doctorate (Doctor Honoris Causa) by KU Leuven, one of Europe's most renowned universities, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to global research in agricultural, food, climate, and environmental economics.
© Filip Van Loock Petr Havlík
The honorary degree was conferred at a ceremony in Leuven, Belgium on Wednesday, 23 April. Through this award, Havlík is joining a distinguished community of world leaders who received the same honor from KU Leuven, including most recently the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Gueterres. The university is also celebrating its 600th anniversary this year.
Havlík is internationally recognized for his exemplary work in developing integrated assessment models of the land-use sector. His work on the IIASA Global Biosphere Management Model (GLOBIOM) has significantly advanced understanding of the interconnected challenges between the global economy, land use, and the environment. This innovative model is widely used for policy assessments and development through scenario analysis, informing both global research and high-level decision-making.
He has consistently been recognized among the World's most Highly Cited Researchers since 2018 and was ranked by Reuters as the sixth most influential climate scientist globally.
In presenting the honorary degree, KU Leuven emphasized Havlík's pioneering leadership, scientific excellence, and his unwavering dedication to generating evidence-based solutions for sustainable food systems and climate resilience. His work bridges fundamental science and real-world impact, influencing international policy and inspiring a new generation of interdisciplinary researchers.
"I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from KU Leuven. This award is not only a personal milestone, but also a reflection of the power of collaboration as demonstrated through the numerous impactful joint outputs with KU Leuven colleagues under the leadership of Professor Miet Maertens, and of the importance of science in driving sustainable solutions for our planet. I share this honor with my colleagues at IIASA and across the global research community who are working tirelessly to shape a more resilient and equitable future," says Havlík.
IIASA congratulates Petr Havlík on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates the global impact of his research and leadership.
