Carijn Beumer

My work

Research and teaching are my passion. I am working as an assistant professor at Maastricht University in the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences. Within the department of Health Ethics and Society I am part of the Global Health team, teaching in the Global Health Masters programme. Through teaching students and through my action oriented research my ambition is to contribute to a sustainabe transformation of our human relation with the planet. You can call me a scientivist.

My special interests are in urban greening and gardening for biodiversity and health.

Focus area of my research is how citizens design their domestic gardens and what this contributes to biodiversity, ecosystem services and a sustainable and healthy living environment. Are people aware of the positive and negative impact they can have on their living environment through their gardens?

​

BIMBY

I developed a research and discussion framework called BIMBY. BIMBY stands for Biodiversity In My (Back) Yard. My practical aim is to inspire people to think about a living and thriving planet when designing and maintaining their home gardens.

Articles (academic and public) that describe the BIMBY method that I use to measure the contribution of domestic gardens to biodiversity, conservation and urban sustainability can be found here. You will also find related and other (academic and non-academic) publications on the Publications page.

Project Operatie Steenbreek

I am involved in the Dutch initiative Operatie Steenbreek. This campaign is carried by various knowledge institutions, societal organizations, and municipalities. Our ambition is to make domestic gardens greener and more biodiverse and to turn the trend of paving gardens. Key partners in this project are Maastricht University, Groningen University, Wageningen UR, Hogeschool Hall van Larenstein, Kenniscentrum Burgers en Biodiversiteit, KNNV, Haags Milieu Centrum, Entente Florale Nederland, IVN Nederland and the Tuinbranche Nederland.

​

“True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing”

Socrates