Bas Jonkman

Learn more about Bas Jonkman

Get To Know Bas Jonkman

What in your life drew you to your current field of study?

I was interested in technology and its societal relevance. Civil Engineering seemed an ideal field. When visiting New Orleans shortly after hurricane Katrina I realized the importance of our field. We have to prevent future disasters like Katrina from happening.

What do you hope your students gain from studying or working with you?

I hope that they see that they can make a difference and really contribute to finding the next generation of solutions for managing flood risks in coastal areas like the Netherlands and Galveston Bay.

What are you passionate about in your personal life?

My family, the coast.

Education

Ph.D. Civil Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2007
M.S. Civil Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2001
B.S. Civil Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 1998

Courses Taught

I have taught several courses at Delft University focusing on hydraulic structures, (flood) risk management, flood defences etc. 

Publications

• Jonkman, S.N., Curran, A. & Bouwer, L.M. (2024) Floods have become less deadly: an analysis of global flood fatalities 1975–2022. Nat Hazards, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-024-06444-0
• Jonkman SN, Merrell WJ (2024) Discussion of “Coastal Defense Megaprojects in an Era of Sea-Level Rise: Politically Feasible Strategies or Army Corps Fantasies?”. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management Volume 150, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1061/JWRMD5.WRENG-618
• Paprotny D., Sebastian A., Morales-Nápoles O, Jonkman S.N. (2018) Trends in flood losses in Europe over the past 150 years. Nature Communications Vol.  9, art. Nr. 1985, doi:10.1038/s41467-018-04253-1
• Mooyaart L.F., Jonkman S.N. (2017) Overview and design considerations of storm surge. ASCE Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering Vol. 143 Issue 4
• Jonkman S.N. (2013) Advanced flood risk analysis required. Nature Climate Change Vol. 3, Dec. 2013-1004
• Jonkman S.N., Jongejan R.B., Maaskant B. (2011) The Use of Individual and Societal Risk Criteria within the Dutch Flood Safety Policy—Nationwide Estimates of Societal Risk and Policy Applications, Risk Analysis, Vol. 31 No. 2, pp. 282-300
• Jonkman S.N., Maaskant B., Boyd E., Levitan M.L. (2009) Loss of life caused by the flooding of New Orleans after hurricane Katrina: Analysis of the relationship between flood characteristics and mortality. Risk Analysis Vol. 29, No. 5, pp. 676-698
• Jonkman S.N., van Gelder P.H.A.J.M., Vrijling J.K. (2003) An overview of quantitative risk measures for loss of life and economic damage, Journal of Hazardous Materials A99 pp. 1–30

Grants and Fellowships

I am most proud of the Fellowship awarded by the Hagler Institute for Advanced Study, Texas A&M, 2022 / 2023 Fellowship

Awards & Recognition

• Honorary member of Practische Studie, Civil engineering student association at TU Delft (as of 2022).
• Honorary member of the Hydraulic engineering student association at TU Delft (as of 2018)
• Journal of Flood Risk Management, 2019 Best Paper Award
• Society of Risk Analysis, 2009 best paper award for the journal of Risk Analysis

Professional Appointments

• Member of the international Expert Panel on Coastal Adaptation and Coastal Protection, PUB, Singapore
• Chair of the scientific review panel for the policy studies and actions as a follow up of the 2021 summer floods in the South of the Netherlands (2022) (in Dutch: beleidstafel hoogwater en wateroverlast)
• Scientific co-director of the new Pandemics and Disaster Preparedness Center (PDPC) with Erasmus MC and Erasmus University (2021 - 2024)
• Co-chairman of “de waterbouwdag”, i.e. the Dutch national Hydraulic Engineering day (as of 2017)
• Member of the Dutch Advisory Committee on Water (Adviescommissie Water AcW), February 2016 – 2018
• Member of Expertise Network for Flood Protection (ENW), since 2013
• Chair of the civil engineering chapter of the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers (KIVI), (2013-2024, member of the board since 2024)
• Vice-chairman and board member of Nethcold, Dutch chapter of ICOLD – International Committee on Large Dams (since 2013)