Prof. Matthieu Kervyn De Meerendre

RESEARCH

He is lecturer in geomorphology and natural hazards within the Department of geography of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. He holds a Master in Geography from the University Catholique de Louvain, Belgium, and a PhD in Geology from Ghent University, Belgium.
He is currently lead a research group in volcanology, geomorphology and natural hazards, supervising several PhD and post-doc researchers. His research focuses on:

• The study of the geomorphology and spatial distribution of volcanic edifices;
• On the effect of volcano-related instability and erosion processes on volcanic morphologies;
• On monitoring and assessing hazards in active volcano-tectonic regions of Africa;
• On characterizting landslides hazard and risk;
• On assessing vulnerability and adaptation strategies to geological hazards

He recently broadened my research interests to the study of the management and communication of geological risks and the build up of resilience within local communities in developing countries.

The research combines observations from DEM and remote sensing analysis with analogue experiments and field observations. All our case studies concentrates on developing countries, mostly in Central Africa.

TEACHING

Bachelor courses

• Fysische Geografie (6 ECTS)
• Terreinwerk 1 (6 ECTS)
• Globale Geomorfologie (3 ECTS)
• Applied Geomorphology (5 or 6 ECTS)

Master courses

• Natural Risk Management  (3 ECTS)
• Physcial Geography Field Trip Abroad (3 ECTS)
• Volcanology  (6 ECTS)

ONGOING PROJECTS

VUB SRP – Strategic Research Program: Tracing and Modelling of Past & Present Global Changes. Kervyn is co-PI.

VLIR UOS Inter-University Cooperation Arba Minch University (Ethiopia) Reducing land degradation through and for sustainable rural land use in the South Ethiopia Rift Valley. Kervyn: Co-PI. Kervyn is Project Leader for the Land degradation part of the project, including 3 PhD scholarships. 2017-2021.

VLIR UOS TEAM Optimizing the valorization of water and rock resources for improved livelihoods in the Arusha volcanic region. Kervyn: PI. Academic cooperation projection between VUB and U Dodoma (Tanzania)  including 2 PhD scholarships. 2017-2020.

VLIR UOS South Initiative. Enhancing community-based natural resources and hazard management in Rwenzori Mountains; Kervyn: PI. Academic cooperation projection between VUB and Mountain of the Moon University (Uganda). 2017-2019.

FWO – Aspirant Mandate for Sam Poppe; Modeling the initiation, propagation and topographic control of magma-driven fractures in brittle rock. 2015-2018. Promoter Matthieu KERVYN.

AfReSlide – Landslide in Equatorial Africa: Identifying Culturally, Technically and Economically Feasible Resilience Strategies. Funding: BELSPO Brain.be project 2014-2018. M. Kervyn is  project coordinator of a consortium of 5 research groups (VUB, KU Leuven, ULB, Royal Museum for Central Africa).