About Esther van Baaren

Esther van Baaren is moonshot coordinator (research manager) of the “Liveable Deltas in a Changing World” moonshot. In this role, she oversees the strategy, programming, and execution of Deltares’ strategic research for this moonshot.

She also coordinates the collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW) and Rijkswaterstaat on the topic of infrastructure, and serves as an expert adviser on integral approaches to the replacement and renovation of hydraulic structures.

In addition, Esther acts as the liaison for the Dutch provinces and coordinates these partnerships.

Esther enjoys thinking strategically about the interconnections between hydraulic engineering structures and the broader system, about long-term strategies and short-term decisions for a liveable delta, and about knowledge development aimed at creating impact. In doing so, she connects expertise, people, and organisations, and shapes the process.

Esther has worked at Deltares and TNO since 2007. At TNO, she began as a researcher/adviser in geohydrology and freshwater availability, contributing to many projects in Zeeland, South Holland, and beyond. As a senior researcher/adviser, she led various research and applied projects within consortia such as FRESHEM Zeeland, De Waterhouderij, and COASTAR. Esther studied Applied Mathematics at Delft University of Technology.