Dr. Rene Van Berkel boasts 35 years of experience in developing and implementing sustainable development practices and initiatives across Asia, Australia, Europe, and beyond. He is a renowned thought leader, change agent, and practitioner in (industrial) resource efficiency and the circular economy, contributing significantly to (cleantech) innovation and (responsible) entrepreneurship for sustainable development. Throughout his career, Dr. Van Berkel has worked extensively with various business sectors, including mining and minerals processing, textiles and garments, agriculture, hospitality, and handicrafts, while also advocating with governments and other stakeholders.

Prior to joining the School of Global Studies, he served over 15 years with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, including over 6 years as regional representative for South Asia and nearly nine years as the Organization’s principal expert on resource efficient and cleaner production. Priorly, he held the position as Australia’s first full professor of Cleaner Production at Curtin University of Technology and various research and leadership roles at the University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands).

His areas of specialization include circular economy and resource efficiency, sustainable development and sustainability science, and responsible business and sustainability management.

Dr Rene Van Berkel is a Member (engagement period) of the International Resource Panel – the pre-eminent global science-to-policy platform on the sustainable use of natural resources and transition to resource efficient and circular economy.