Patrick Degryse, the inaugural ERA Chair holder, is Professor (ordinarius) and Chair of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at KU Leuven, and directs the Centre for Archaeological Sciences (CAS). KU Leuven boasts a rich tradition of education and research that dates back six centuries. KU Leuven conducts fundamental and applied research in all academic disciplines with a clear international orientation. In the Times Higher Education ranking KU Leuven is ranked as the 45th university worldwide, 12th among the European universities. To date, the over 100 ERC grants involving KU Leuven researchers confirm that KU Leuven is a breeding ground and attractive destination for the world’s best researchers. Its success in the FP7 and Horizon 2020 programmes is a manifestation of the three pillars of KU Leuven: research, education and service to society.