CV

Present position

Since 2025
Senior Guest Fellow, Department for Technology Breakthrough, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Since 2023
Senior Guest Fellow, Agricola Institute, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen.

Since 2012
Part-time Professor Ecodesign for Life, Aalborg University, Department of Planning, Sustainable Innovation and Policy.

Since 1996
Prof B Consultancy, Rotterdam/Texel, focused on sustainable innovation, EU universities and programmes, advisory work, and higher education evaluation.

Since 1992
Emeritus Professor, Delft University of Technology, Chair of the Design for Sustainability programme.

Education

Electrical Engineering (Ir.), Delft University of Technology, 1977.
PhD in Sociology and Energy Innovation (Dr.), Erasmus University Rotterdam, 1993.

Career highlights

Co-founder of the Erasmus Environmental Sciences Institute, advisor to the Netherlands Advisory Council for Research on Nature and Environment, co-founder and director of TME in The Hague, visiting professor at Lund University and the University of Melbourne, and later research director and graduate school director at TU Delft.

Other positions

Member of the Scientific Advisory Board of House of Design, Groningen, since 2012. Dutch Regional Partner for the EU Commission’s CE4EUI Islands Programme since 2023. Partner in the FREIIA and NESSIE Interreg projects since 2023.

Major research projects

Before 2010
Major projects include adoption and diffusion of energy innovations, the PRISMA cleaner production programme, PROMISE, Sustainable Texel/TexLabs, AIDA, Kathalys, Sustainable Business Innovation, the D4S Ecodesign Guide for the United Nations, the Frisian Solar Alliance, and REIL Rotterdam Eco-Innovation Lab.

2010 and after
Major later programmes include C2C Islands, D2D Islands, FREIIA, and NESSIE.

Research output

Approximately 150 conference papers, 50 journal papers, and 6 books. Scopus H-index: 24. Supervision output includes around 40 PhD theses, 270 MSc students, and around 30 million euro in external research funding acquisition.

PhD supervision

Prof. Brezet has supervised and supported a large group of PhD candidates at TU Delft, Lund University/IIIEE, and Aalborg University across design, sustainability, ecodesign, circularity, and innovation themes. Present Aalborg University PhD candidate: Sybrith Tiekstra, on sustainable innovation via European festivals.

Patents

Energy Flux Dancing Floor; Human Powered Light for Running.

Personal data

Born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, on 3 February 1951. Married to Elsemiek Heins. Two children: Karin and Erik. Hobbies: tenor sax, bass clarinet, and Beatriz Orchestra. Based in Rotterdam and Texel Island, The Netherlands.

Elsemiek Heins

Activities 2021-2025 with special interest for NVAO compliance

Includes agency and board roles for FCT in Portugal, CARIPLO in Italy, the University of the North competition, the Professional Doctorate Commission of the Vereniging van Hogescholen, RUN-EU, Shannon University, and multiple curriculum, exam, and course development roles in the Netherlands and at Aalborg University.

NVAO / Hobeon visitation

Chairman of various NVAO, Hobeon, and NQA visitation committees for Higher Education Institutes in the Netherlands since 2010.

Visitations chair overview Prof. Brezet 2021-2026

  • MSc Cross Creative - HKU
  • BSc Docent Theaterwetenschap - Fontys Hogeschool
  • MSc Interieurdesign - HHS Hogeschool Den Haag
  • BSc Interieur Architectuur - HKU
  • MSc System Design - Fontys Hogeschool
  • MSc Circular Engineering - University of Maastricht
  • BSc Chemical Technology - Hogeschool Rotterdam
  • BSc Biologie/Medisch Lab - Hogeschool Rotterdam
  • BSc Engineering - Hogeschool van Amsterdam
  • BSc Chemische Technologie - Saxion Hogeschool
  • AD Design - HKU
  • BSc Vliegtuigbouw - Hogeschool InHolland
  • AD Engineering - Fontys Hogeschool
  • MSc Structural Engineering - Hogeschool van Amsterdam
  • BSc Design (IPO) - Saxion Hogeschool
  • BSc Design (IPO) - HHS Hogeschool Den Haag
  • BSc Architecture - NCOI
  • BSc Informatica - Fontys Hogeschool
  • BSc Informatica - NCOI
  • BSc Design (IPO) - Fontys Hogeschool
  • BSc CMGT - HKU
  • BSc CMD - Hogeschool Rotterdam
  • BSc Kunst & Economie - HKU
  • BSc Civiele Techniek - HHS Hogeschool Den Haag
  • BSc Design - HKU
  • BSc Arts & Crafts - Hogeschool Rotterdam
  • BSc Maritieme Techniek - Hogeschool Rotterdam (planned 2026)
  • AD Bouwkunde - Hogeschool Rotterdam (planned 2026)
  • BSc Bouwkunde - HHS Hogeschool Den Haag (planned 2026)
  • BSc Ruimtelijke Ordening - HHS Hogeschool Den Haag (planned 2026)

Recent publications

  • The Rudder Method
  • The TIPPING Guide
  • Towards advanced circularity in Bornholm
  • DK Opportunity Assessment | Bornholm
  • DK Rudder Report | Bornholm | Construction and Demolition Waste
  • DK Rudder Report | Bornholm | Electrical and Electronic Goods
  • DK Tipping Report | Bornholm | Construction and Demolition Waste
  • DK Tipping Report | Bornholm | Electrical and Electronic Goods
  • NL Tipping Report | Schiermonnikoog | CE
  • NL Opportunity Assessment | Schiermonnikoog
  • Opening the Black Box of Governance
  • Sustainable energy experiments and demonstrations