With this appointment, VU Amsterdam is investing in research that focuses on a key question: How can data, scientific insights, and artificial intelligence contribute to better decision-making in education, healthcare, and policy?
In a society where more and more decisions are supported by data and algorithms, there is a growing need for reliable methods to use that information responsibly. The new chair focuses on developing scientific knowledge that helps professionals make better choices - from teachers and school administrators to healthcare providers and policymakers.
“Data is available everywhere these days, but data alone does not automatically lead to better decisions,” says Cornelisz. “The challenge is to responsibly translate information into insights that actually help people. In doing so, we must keep the human side of decision-making in mind.”
Better Decisions for Education and Health
Ilja Cornelisz will focus on developing new methods to support decision-making using data, empirical research, and artificial intelligence. In doing so, he will investigate how scientific insights can be used to make education more effective, better tailor healthcare to individual needs, and provide a stronger foundation for policy.
An important part of the research is the development of personalized and adaptive decision-making models. In healthcare, for example, this could mean that treatments are better tailored to the characteristics and needs of individual patients. In education, it could help provide more targeted support to students and increase academic success.
Responsible Use of Data and AI
The chair pays particular attention to the social and ethical issues associated with the use of data and artificial intelligence. How do we ensure that algorithms are fair and transparent? How do we prevent decisions from being driven solely by technology? And how can professionals maintain control over processes in which data plays an increasingly important role?
By focusing on these questions, Cornelisz aims to contribute to a future in which technology supports people without losing sight of human values.
Collaborating for Social Impact
A hallmark of the research approach is close collaboration with schools, healthcare organizations, government agencies, and other societal partners. Researchers develop knowledge not only for the field but together with the field. As a result, new insights better align with the daily challenges faced by professionals, and research findings can be applied more quickly.
The chair builds on existing collaborations within education and healthcare and will forge new connections between scientists, policymakers, and professionals. This creates a research environment in which societal issues are directly linked to scientific innovation.
Contributing to a Data-Literate Society
In addition to research, education also plays an important role. Through the chair, Cornelisz aims to contribute to a society in which people better understand how data, statistics, and artificial intelligence work and the role they play in decision-making. Increasing this data literacy is becoming increasingly important in a world where information is abundant and the consequences of decisions can be significant.
In line with VU’s social mission
With this appointment, VU Amsterdam strengthens its profile in the field of people-centered, interdisciplinary research. The chair aligns with the university’s ambition to apply science to address societal challenges and to develop new knowledge that directly contributes to the quality of education, health, and public decision-making.
By connecting data science, behavioral sciences, and practical knowledge, the chair aims to contribute to a society in which decisions are better-informed, more transparent, and more effective - and thus have a positive impact on people’s daily lives.