Behavioural and movement sciences
Marit Sijbrandij is a professor of Clinical Psychology. Together with researcher Irina Frankova (Kyiv), she focuses on psychological support for those affected by the war in Ukraine. They do this with the help of a chatbot for instance.
You can read more about Marit and her research here.
Recent news: 'VU and WHO launch mental health app for Ukrainians'.
Kilian Wawoe is a researcher and lecturer in Human Resources Management. He is a visiting professor at Kiev University and has extensive experience and knowledge of education in Ukraine. Recently, he helped some of his students in Kiev flee to the Netherlands.
You can read more about Kilian and his research here.
Sciences
Herbert Bos is professor of System and Network Security. He researches cyber-attacks and vulnerabilities in digital systems. He closely follows developments concerning cyber-attacks from Russia.
You can read more about Herbert and his research here.
Sander Veraverbeke is associate professor of Climate & Ecosystems Change and researches dormant wildfires, so-called zombie fires. He plans to travel to Siberia again this summer with a team from VU Amsterdam to study the effects of zombie fires. He worries about the longer term because if data and knowledge cannot be exchanged over a long period of time, it could be the deathblow to research activities there.
You can read more about Sander and his research here.
Jorien Vonk is an earth scientist researching permafrost in Siberia. Permafrost research is critical to understanding climate change and the Siberian region is ideally suited for permafrost research. After two years of corona, Jorien Vonk finally hoped that two of the scientists in her group could return to her research field in the tundra of northern Siberia. That research has been postponed until further notice.
You can read more about Jorien and her research here.
Recent news: 'The effect of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on climate research'.
Social Sciences
Wolfgang Wagner is a professor and expert on International Security. His research focuses on military interventions, international order and sanctions. Born and raised in Germany, he also follows German and European Union foreign policy.
You can read more about Wolfgang and his research here.
Recent news: 'NWA grant for research on willingness to fight for one’s country'.
Bastiaan van Apeldoorn is professor of Geopolitics and is particularly concerned with US foreign policy in a rapidly changing world order. In this regard, he analyses how the interests and ideas of the US political elite are changing in the context of the rise of China; America's crumbling power; the conflict with Russia that is now on edge, and increasing geopolitical rivalry and instability. He also pays attention to what the implications of these shifting power panels are for Europe's role and position.
You can read more about Bastiaan and his research here.
Claire van Teunenbroek is an expert on (online) giving behaviour. She studies how households in the Netherlands give, such as to humanitarian aid. Her research focuses in particular on the impact of digitalisation and engagement: online giving through crowdfunding. Crowdfunding can be used by both private individuals and charities and has the potential to raise large sums of money in a short time, such as global actions to support refugees from Ukraine. Showing commitment is essential at times of crisis, both for the receiving and giving party.
You can read more about Claire and her research here.
Irene Costera Meijer is a professor of Journalism studies. Her research focuses in particular on the impact of digitalisation on changing practices of media and news consumption and the consequences for media organisations. She also conducts research on disinformation and fake news.
You can read more about Irene and her research here.
Law
Lieneke Slingenberg is an expert on migration law. She researches the treatment of migrants residing within or at Europe's borders. Her research focuses on rights to housing, education, employment and health care, for example.
You can read more about Lieneke and her research here.
Recent news: 'Difference in treatment of asylum seekers from Ukraine and asylum seekers from other countries' (Dutch only).
Galina Cornelisse is an expert on European migration law. She studies the way the EU and Member States define asylum procedures at the border and make policies on migrant return and detention. She also looks at the role of solidarity between member states.
You can read more about Galina and her research here.
Recent news: 'A permanent present. Europe's dealings with refugees' (Dutch only).
Humanities
Rob van der Laarse is professor of Heritage of War and co-founder of the Center for Ukrainian Cultural Studies.
You can read more about Rob and his research here.
Recent news: 'Ukrainian Heritage under attack' (Dutch only)
Haroon Sheikh is associate professor of Strategic Governance of Global Technologies and senior researcher at the Scientific Council for Government Policy (WRR). He focuses on the impact of new technologies on society, international relations, economy and politics and governance.
You can read more about Haroon and his research here.
Recent news: 'The Ukraine crisis and the new world order' (Dutch only)
Business & Economics
Wim Boonstra is professor of Economic and Monetary Policy. He is an expert on the monetary system and international economics.
You can read more about Wim and his research here.
Religion & Theology
Katya Tolstoy is professor of Theology and Religion in Post-Trauma Societies. She researches religion in former Soviet countries and is of Russian descent herself. She is an expert on the (religious) ideas, concepts and history behind the conflict between Russia, Ukraine and the West.
You can read more about Katya and her research here.
Recent news: 'For me, there’s a life before the war and one after'
