Jiska Engelbert

Jiska Engelbert is Associate Professor at the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB), Erasmus University Rotterdam, in the Department of Public Administration & Sociology (DPAS). She leads Team Public Issues & Imaginaries and holds key leadership roles as Strategic Director of the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Centre for BOLD Cities and co-leader of the smart cities and communities theme within the Erasmus Vital Cities and Citizens Initiative.

Her research centers on critical urban governance, smart cities, discourse analysis, and the role of civil servants and citizens in urban development. Drawing from sociology and public administration, she investigates how public issues emerge and are governed, particularly in Dutch and European urban contexts. Her work critically examines labels such as 'smart,' 'resilient,' and 'inclusive' cities through the lens of urban vitalism and power dynamics.

The recent articles show a consistent focus on reflexivity in urban policy, the socio-political dimensions of smart city initiatives, and the ethical implications of urban governance. Her scholarship bridges academic and public discourse, engaging with themes of equity, inclusion, and democratic participation in city-making.

She is actively involved in academic and societal engagement, organizing and speaking at events related to media, inequality, diversity, and urban politics. Her work has been referenced in policy sources and widely shared on social media, indicating societal impact.

• Strategic Director, Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Centre for BOLD Cities
• Co-leader, Smart Cities and Communities Theme, Erasmus Vital Cities and Citizens Initiative
• Chair and Organizer, RMeS Summerschool 2021

She supervises academic work, including doctoral research, and collaborates across disciplines on issues of urban sustainability and social justice.