Mara de Pater Researcher & Advisor

Mara works as an action researcher and PhD candidate at DRIFT on transitions in nature, biodiversity, landscapes, and agriculture, focusing primarily on transformative collaborations between actors with different perspectives. She uses her interdisciplinary academic background and experience to approach issues analytically and holistically together with other researchers and practitioners.

She trained as an Environmental Scientist (BSc & MSc) in Wageningen with a specialization in environmental policy and international politics and also holds an MSc in Cultural Anthropology from Utrecht University. For both studies, Mara conducted research internationally (including in the United States and Hungary) with a focus on (de-) democratization and climate policy.

Additionally, as the chairperson of Stichting YFST, she advocates for youth participation in international climate negotiations. In her free time, she ventures into nature with her tent, bicycle, or climbing harness.