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Jan Verbesselt
Earth Observation expert working at the interface of science, policy, and application
I work at the intersection of European Earth Observation programmes, academic research, and real-world applications. As Belgian delegate to ESA and EU Copernicus, I contribute to shaping how satellite data is translated into operational services, scientific insight, and societal impact.
My work builds on a long-standing academic career in Earth Observation, where I focused on time series analysis, ecosystem monitoring, and the development of open-source tools such as BFAST. Today, I bring that scientific foundation into policy, collaboration, and emerging domains such as AI and digital twins.
Current Activities
In 2026, I am actively engaged in teaching and academic exchange, alongside my work in ESA and Copernicus.
I recently taught a course at the Serrapilheira Institute in Brazil (February 2026), where I coached selected students in satellite data processing, time series analysis, and ecosystem resilience — directly building on Copernicus and ESA achievements.
See also BFAST tutorials and Geo-Scripting course materials at Wageningen University.
Current Work
My work focuses on connecting European Earth Observation programmes with scientific communities and operational users. This includes engagement with Copernicus services, Destination Earth, and national stakeholders working on climate risk, emergency response, and environmental monitoring.
Reflection
I am increasingly interested in how Earth Observation education and research should evolve in response to the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence. Rather than replacing core skills, AI opens new opportunities to rethink how we teach, analyse, and collaborate.
A central question in my work is how to bridge depth in science with relevance in society. This requires not only technical expertise, but also dialogue across disciplines, institutions, and countries.
Contact & Collaboration
I am open to guest lectures, academic collaborations, PhD juries, and advisory roles related to Earth Observation, Copernicus, and geospatial innovation.
Reach me via LinkedIn or at jan.verbesselt[@]belspo.be