About Sien Kok

Sien Kok (1991) is an environmental economist specialized in nature-based solutions, climate adaptation, and ecosystem services. She is strongly motivated by creating a positive impact for nature and society, in line with concepts such as doughnut economics and broad welfare. In her work, Sien often acts as a bridge between beta and social science disciplines and across the science-policy interface, generally focusing on developing economic decision support information. An experienced project leader with an open communication style, Sien has a keen interest in transdisciplinary methods and applies both qualitative and quantitative research skills in her work.

In the past, Sien has focused on developing and improving economic assessment and financing models of nature-based solutions in urban, riverine, and coastal settings. For example, she led a team on the ‘Business Case of Building With Nature’ for Ecoshape from 2019 to 2021. Besides nature-based solutions, Sien is well-versed in the economics of land subsidence, with efforts spanning the development of risk analysis methods (notably for buildings) and cost-benefit analyses, with notable projects in the Netherlands (Gouda, Amsterdam) and Indonesia.

Presently, Sien is working on a PhD at Wageningen University under the H2020 MERLIN project, focusing on holistic economic assessment and financing of large-scale restoration in Europe’s freshwaters.