I am a lecturer and researcher focusing on exploring meaningful and effective public engagement in science. My research and teaching aim to connect science with society, bringing together different perspectives and seeking common ground and alliances between the university, industry, policymakers, and societal stakeholders like grassroots organizations, NGOs, and citizens. I stand for taking responsible individual and collective actions and transforming societies among, at times, conflicting groups. Working at the Athena Institute has taught me how to cater to the most marginalized groups in our society and explore the boundaries through innovative forms of collaboration. I work closely with diverse grassroots organizations through his various research projects, involving students as much as possible. I aim to develop further and refine innovative and creative methodologies to address complex societal problems. This requires a new form of reflexivity - one that does justice to the needs, values and principles as expressed by (representatives of) 'traditionally' underexplored and/or ignored voices. I am fully aware of the many mental blocks that are hampering human beings from collaborating, but consider this the way to solve different complex challenges in our societies.
Featured Research
- My PhD research focusses on processes of knowledge production and integration between academic and non-academic stakeholders. The case studies in which this was explored effective and meaningful engagement of citizens (1) in setting the research agenda on urban waste management in EU (see VOICES project), (2) in the bioeconomy transition in the Netherlands (see Bioeconomy project).
- Next to the PhD research I am a researcher in the Re/Presenting Europe: Healing Afterlives of Colonialsm project. Here the focus lies on (1) exploring the co-existance of traditional medicine/healing next to Western Biomedical medicine/healing, (2) what healing means for communities of affected by Dutch Colonialsim, (3) healing from the Toeslagenaffaire, (4) sense of belonging among Dutch Caribbean students in the Netherlands(see project).
- Learn more about mypersonal background through this interview of Share2Uplift and how I expanded from SUSTAINABILITY-centred to HEALING-centred research through this "Joy in Academia" Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcast.
Leadership in Academic Education
- Coordinator Master Management, Policy analysis and Entrepreneurship in the Health and Life Sciences (2019-present) website video
- Program Manager Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate Programme on Transdisciplinary Solutions to Global Health Challenges (2016-2023)
- Co-founder MPA specialisation Community-based Health Technologies (2017)
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