Ruben Zondervan is the Executive Director of the Earth System Governance Project. Ruben studied political science, modern history, law, and economics at the University of Freiburg and political sciences at the University of Potsdam and finally holds a degree in environment & resource management from the VU University Amsterdam. He previously worked with the International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change (IHDP), the University Oldenburg, the VU University Amsterdam, the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Riga, and at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and also gained work experience as planner and consultant in industry.