USM Hosts First Public Ph.D. Defense on Housing Resilience
October 9, 2025
The University of St. Martin will hold its first formal and public Ph.D. Defense on Friday, October 17, 2025, in collaboration with TU Delft and Island(er)s at the Helm. Ph.D. candidate Ing. Aga Kuś will present research on affordable and future-resilient housing for St. Martin.
Join us for this landmark occasion as USM celebrates its first official Ph.D. defense, a proud moment for the university, its partners, and the people of St. Martin.
This historic event marks a major milestone for higher education and research in St. Martin, as USM continues to strengthen its academic partnerships and research capacity.
The interactive Ph.D. public defense and research dialogue, titled “Designing for a Flow: Affordable and Future Resilient Housing for St. Martin,” will be presented by Ing. Aga Kuś, Ph.D. Candidate, on Friday, October 17th, 2025, from 4:45 to 7:00 PM at the University of St. Martin.
Kuś’s research explores innovative approaches to housing design that merge affordability, resilience, and cultural identity, offering new pathways for sustainable development in small island contexts like St. Martin.
The academic committee includes:
Prof. Dr. Antonio Carmona Báez (USM)
Prof. Dr. Ellen van Bueren (TU Delft)
Dr. Nelson Mota (TU Delft)
Drs. Raymond Jessurun (USM)
Following the defense, a roundtable discussion will be held with representatives from the Government of St. Maarten, the NRPB, SMHDF, and community stakeholders. The session will explore how academic research can inform future housing policies and climate resilience efforts on the island.
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This historic event marks a major milestone for higher education and research in St. Martin, as USM continues to strengthen its academic partnerships and research capacity.
The interactive Ph.D. public defense and research dialogue, titled “Designing for a Flow: Affordable and Future Resilient Housing for St. Martin,” will be presented by Ing. Aga Kuś, Ph.D. Candidate, on Friday, October 17th, 2025, from 4:45 to 7:00 PM at the University of St. Martin.
Kuś’s research explores innovative approaches to housing design that merge affordability, resilience, and cultural identity, offering new pathways for sustainable development in small island contexts like St. Martin.
The academic committee includes:
Prof. Dr. Antonio Carmona Báez (USM)
Prof. Dr. Ellen van Bueren (TU Delft)
Dr. Nelson Mota (TU Delft)
Drs. Raymond Jessurun (USM)
Following the defense, a roundtable discussion will be held with representatives from the Government of St. Maarten, the NRPB, SMHDF, and community stakeholders. The session will explore how academic research can inform future housing policies and climate resilience efforts on the island.
Latest News →
