I am an Associate Professor (Universitair Hoofddocent, with IUS Promovendi) in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and Program Director of the Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in Science, Business & Innovation (SBI).
I lead the Entrepreneurship & Innovation in Science & Technology research section and serve on the department’s management team as portfolio holder for education, where I oversee strategic development and innovation in teaching across all programs. My work combines education, research, and valorization. I teach and supervise SBI courses and theses at the bachelor’s, master’s, and honours levels, and I serve on behalf of the VU Faculty of Science as the contact point for the technical educational programs developed in partnership with the University of Twente.
I collaborate internationally with organizations such as CERN, ESADE, and EMBL. My research on innovation, sustainable water management and entrepreneurship has been published in numerous leading journals as lead/first author, and supported by multiple (European) grants. Beyond academia, I frequently share insights on sustainable innovation, science policy and water management in national and international forums as a speaker and media contributor.
Prior to joining Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, my career was built on a strong foundation of industrial and public-sector engagements. I gained hands-on experience in industry, collaborating with leading firms as well as supporting innovation initiatives in public research institutes and water management organizations. I also worked closely with various Dutch ministries, advising on policy and helping to bridge the gap between academic insight and governmental decision-making. A significant part of my role involved contributing to research that informed parliamentary and policy debates on science, technology and innovation policy.
During my PhD and postdoc at the University of Amsterdam, I was part of the Amsterdam Institute of Social Science Research (AISSR) in the Department of Political Science, where I combined rigorous academic work with real-world impact on sustainable water management. As a research assistant during my studies, I participated in a flagship project that was presented to former Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands and later published by MIT Press. This blend of industrial, governmental, and high-impact research experience now informs my approach to interdisciplinary scholarship and engagement at VU.
Educational qualifications:
Basic Teaching Qualification (BTQ/BKO) - 2017
Senior Teaching Qualification (STQ/SKO) - 2020
Learning Trajectory Educational Leadership (Leergang Onderwijskundig Leiderschap) LOL - 2024
