Nele Veldeman is supporting cities to be more climate-resilient

Nele Veldeman is a researcher and climate scientist at the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO) with a coordinating role in climate adaptation-related projects. She is also a key contributor to the UrbanAIR project as an urban climate modeller, and today she shares more about her journey in climate science, her work making cities more resilient, and her advice for young women considering a career in STEM.  

What inspired you to pursue a career in climate science? Was there a specific moment or role model that solidified your path into science?  

I chose to work in climate science because I wanted my work to truly matter to people. Climate and health challenges are becoming more urgent, and science offered me a way to help address them.  I’m intrigued by how we continue to damage ecosystems, even while knowing the consequences, and how often we avoid looking further into the future. Over time, my focus shifted toward climate change and understanding how urban adaptation measures can make cities more resilient and future-proof. 

A defining moment for me came while walking on a glacier with my two young children and hearing how much it had retreated in just five years. Experiencing this, while holding the next generation in my hands, made the urgency of my work very real. That combination of personal experience, scientific curiosity, and the drive to help create climate-resilient cities continues to inspire my career today.  

Could you describe your specific role and contribution to the UrbanAIR digital twin project? For example, how does your work with urban climate modelling help cities like Antwerp or Paris become more resilient?  

In UrbanAIR, I work as an urban climate modeller, focusing mainly on heat stress while building on a strong background in air quality modelling. My role is to translate complex scientific data into actionable insights. I see myself as a bridge between scientists, city administrations, policy makers, and urban planners, ensuring that the digital twin supports real decision-making. 

With the City of Antwerp in particular, I’m heavily involved in stakeholder engagement and co-creation. This means working closely with local experts to understand their challenges, bringing scientific evidence into the discussion, and shaping tools that respond to the city’s needs.   

Nele at the UrbanAir Kickoff in Delft in 2025.

The UrbanAIR project relies on diverse expertise. How does the inclusion of diverse perspectives—both within the team and in the data we model—improve the quality and equity of the project’s outcomes?  

UrbanAIR brings together computer scientists, environmental modellers, communication specialists, social scientists, mathematicians, and software developers. Because we come from such different backgrounds, we ask different questions, and that leads to better, more balanced solutions. A data scientist might focus on accuracy, while a social scientist focuses on fairness or vulnerability, and a communication expert thinks about how people will actually use the information.  

Looking ahead, what is one key misconception about women in STEM that you wish to challenge? And, as part of UrbanAIR, what advice would you give to young women considering a career in climate research? 

 One misconception is that women are “less technical” or that women “lack confidence in technical environments”. In reality, women contribute at every technical level of STEM, from coding to modelling to advanced research. Also, confidence grows from experience and support, just like for everyone. My advice to young women would be:

You don’t need to fit a stereotype to be a scientist. Curiosity, persistence, and collaboration matter much more than perfection (and gender!).