Janne Bemelmans

Janne Bemelmans is a distinguished researcher at KU Leuven's Division of Bioeconomics, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, where she recently completed her PhD focusing on Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) in global food systems. With an academic foundation combining a MSc in Bioscience Engineering from KU Leuven and an advanced MSc in Development Studies from the University of Antwerp, she specializes in investigating the socioeconomic impacts and trade effects of sustainability standards in tropical commodity sectors. Her research portfolio includes significant contributions to understanding VSS effectiveness in improving trade performance and welfare outcomes for producers, particularly in developing countries. She has published extensively on topics ranging from sustainability standards in tropical commodity sectors to fertility preferences in Sub-Saharan Africa, demonstrating her commitment to inclusive and sustainable food systems development. Before her doctoral research, she gained valuable international experience through a research internship at De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines, and has contributed to various research projects across different countries, including Senegal.