
LAURA VANG RASMUSSEN
I am an Associate Professor at the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen in Denmark and an Affiliate Professor at the Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia.
I am interested in understanding and seeking solutions to the global challenge of feeding the world while conserving nature at the same time. I have pursued this research field in a number of different contexts and countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Mozambique, South Africa, Laos, and Brazil.
2010-2013 PhD, Dept. of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
2007-2009 MSc, Geography, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
2004-2007 BSc, Geography, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
2021- Associate Professor, Dept. of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen
2019-2022 Affiliate Professor, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia
2019-2021 Tenure-track Assistant Professor, Dept. of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen
2017-2019 Banting postdoctoral fellow, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia
2017 Assistant Professor, Dept. of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen
2015-2017 Postdoctoral fellow, International Forestry Resources and Institutions (IFRI), University of Michigan
2013-2015 Postdoctoral fellow, Dept. of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen
2010-2013 Ph.D. candidate, Dept. of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen
2023-2025 European Research Council (ERC) POC grant. An innovative ‘Forest and Trees Toolkit’ for reducing malnutrition in Africa. PI
2021 Independent Research Fund of Denmark. Effects of deforestation and reforestation on food security and nutrition. PI
2020-2025 ERC starting grant. Reinterpreting how forests support people’s dietary quality in low-income countries. PI
2020 Strategy 2023: Integrating research into teaching, University of Copenhagen. PI
2018-2020 The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Socio-economic benefits of ecological infrastructure in South Africa. Work package lead
2017-2019 Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship, Can agricultural expansion perversely lead to lower food security among local people? PI
2019-2020 IUFRO Global Expert Panel on Forests and Poverty
2019-2024 Selected member of the of the Danish Young Academy (The Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters)
Since 2018 Frontiers – Land, Livelihoods & Food security – Editorial Board member
Since 2017 Journal of Land Use Science – Editorial board member
Since 2015 Forest & Livelihoods: Assessment, Research and Engagement (FLARE) – Coordination committee
2016-2017 University of Michigan Postdoc Association – Board member
Office: 6.2.641
lr@ign.ku.dk