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Bernard (Ben) Arps is Professor of Indonesian and Javanese Language and Culture at Leiden University's Institute for Area Studies within the Faculty of Humanities. His research focuses on the interface of humanities and humanistic social sciences, particularly examining how language, performance, texts, and media contribute to 'worldmaking' - the processes through which people and institutions shape realities for themselves and others. Geographically centered on Southeast Asia with a core focus on Indonesia and the Malay world, Arps specializes in Java and its diasporas. His scholarly interests include religious encounters (particularly between Islam and local vernacular traditions), philological theory as applied to performance and new media, narrativity in song and audio media, and the theoretical foundations of area studies. Arps has conducted extensive fieldwork in Indonesia since 1979, totaling over four years, primarily in Central and Eastern Java regions including Surakarta, Yogyakarta, Banyuwangi, and Cilacap. His current book projects explore the Quest narrative pattern across religious traditions (focusing on Dewa Ruci), the sociopolitical formation of languages through media and performance (using Osing in Banyuwangi as a case study), and the Asian Muslim epic of Amir Hamza. Arps teaches primarily in Leiden's BA programme in South and Southeast Asian Studies, BA in International Studies, and MA programme in Asian Studies. Former chair of the Department of Languages and Cultures of Southeast Asia and Oceania (1995, 1999/2000, 2003-2006, 2008) Previously taught at School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (1988-1993) Held visiting positions at NIAS (2001/02), ANU (2005), University of Michigan (2006/07), NUS/ARI (2011/12), UNS (2017), and IIAS (2018/19) Arps has supervised doctoral, Master's, and Bachelor's dissertations across Indonesian, Malay, Singapore, Cambodian, and Thai studies, with particular expertise in Javanese, Sundanese, Betawi, Balinese, Sasak, Mentawai, and Minangkabau cultures and languages. His work spans religion, performance, media, literature, sociolinguistics, lexicography, and education.

• Southeast Asian Studies
• Indonesian Language and Culture
• Javanese Language and Culture
• +9 more

Miriam Waltz is an Assistant Professor in gender justice and health technologies at Leiden University, with a joint appointment between the Institute for Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology and the African Studies Centre. Her research focuses on interdisciplinary health technologies in Africa, pesticide use in Western Kenya, and perinatal healthcare in South Africa. Education: BA in Anthropology and Development Studies, University College Utrecht (2012) Honours and MA in Social Anthropology, University of Cape Town (2013–2015) Joint PhD in Anthropology (Aarhus University & University of Oslo, 2022) Research Interests: Examines pesticide use among smallholder farmers in Kenya, exploring socio-ecological dynamics and non-human entanglements. Investigates perinatal health care navigation and technological interventions in Cape Town. Explores multispecies ethnography and science-policy interfaces in African contexts.

• Environmental Anthropology
• Medical Anthropology
• Multispecies Ethnography
• +5 more

Jampel Dell'Angelo is an Associate Professor with ius promovendi in Water Governance and Politics at the Department of Environmental Policy Analysis, Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He holds concurrent roles as a Visiting Scholar at the University of California, Berkeley's Ecohydrology Lab, and an Environmental Governance Affiliate Scholar at SESYNC, Maryland. His research focuses on multilevel dimensions of water governance, climate adaptation in African irrigation systems, and transnational land investments' impacts. He leads the EU-funded NEWAVE project, coordinating 15 Early Stage Researchers across 10 institutions. Educated with a dual PhD in Environmental Science (Autonomous University of Barcelona) and International Cooperation (Sapienza University), he also holds advanced degrees from the LSE, Sapienza, Curtin, and the University of Siena. As Editor-in-Chief of World Development , he promotes interdisciplinary research on socio-environmental systems. His work contributes to UN SDGs related to clean water, sustainable cities, and responsible production. Research interests span water grabbing dynamics, socio-ecological resilience, and policy frameworks for equitable resource management. Recent projects address Mediterranean water scarcity solutions and the socio-political implications of global land rushes. He supervises PhD candidates exploring themes like water democracy, agrifood transitions, and environmental justice. Key contributions include pioneering analysis of 'water commons grabbing' and documenting the Global Water Grab Syndrome. His documentary work complements field research, such as Working Together: Research and Water Governance on Mount Kenya . Current projects emphasize innovative governance models and climate-resilient water management in transboundary contexts.

• Water Governance
• Political Economy of Natural Resources
• Climate Change Adaptation
• +3 more

Anna Grigolon is an Assistant Professor at the University of Twente , Netherlands, affiliated with the Transport Engineering and Management Research Group . Her research focuses on sustainable urban mobility , user-centric transport solutions , and travel behavior analysis using tools like discrete choice modeling , spatial analysis , and social psychology theories . Research Interests : Sustainable Urban Mobility Accessibility Modeling Travel Behavior Discrete Choice and Latent Class Modeling Spatial Analysis and GIS Shared Micromobility and Mobility Hubs Equity in Transport Planning Article Trends : Anna’s recent work (2025–2024) emphasizes mobility justice , 15-minute city transitions, and equity in transport access , particularly for marginalized communities like São Paulo favelas. She integrates digital tools (e.g., serious games, kiosks) and space-time metrics to evaluate mobility solutions. Projects : She currently leads the SmartHubs project and contributes to DREAMS and R-map , focusing on smart, equitable mobility systems in Europe and Saudi Arabia.

• Sustainable Urban Mobility
• Transportation Planning and Modeling
• Accessibility Modeling
• +10 more

Valentina Mazzucato is Professor of Globalisation and Development at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Maastricht University, where she teaches and leads research in transnational migration and development. She founded and directed the research programme on Globalisation, Transnationalism and Development (2012–2020), co-founded the MA Globalisation and Development Studies, and led the development of the interdisciplinary BSc Global Studies. She is a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and has held leadership roles in major research initiatives including the ERC Consolidator Grant project MO-TRAYL. Her educational background includes a BA in Political Science and French Literature from Williams College, an MSc in Agricultural Economics from Michigan State University, and a PhD cum laude from Wageningen Agricultural University on indigenous soil and water conservation in Burkina Faso. Her research focuses on transnational migration between Africa and Europe, particularly the socio-economic and cultural impacts on migrants, their families, and communities. She employs mixed methods and multi-sited research designs, pioneering the simultaneous matched sample methodology. Her recent work explores transnational youth mobility, return visits, remittances, and temporalities of migration. The articles from 2024–2025 reveal a strong thematic consistency in migrant youth, transnational identity, methodological innovation, and policy implications, reflecting her leadership in interdisciplinary migration scholarship. ERC Consolidator Grant (2017–2023) for MO-TRAYL project Elected member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), 2019 Prof. Mazzucato has secured multiple international grants from NWO, NORFACE, and the ERC, enabling her to build transnational research teams and mentor PhD candidates and early-career researchers. She supervises Bachelor’s and Master’s theses and externally examines PhDs internationally. She is actively involved in policy engagement, having advised Queen Beatrix and participated in EU and NGO forums on migration and development. She also co-created a play with Ghanaian migrants to translate research into public dialogue. She leads the Transnational Links and Livelihoods Group and collaborates across institutions including Princeton University (Center for Migration and Development), African universities, and policy organizations. Her work bridges academic research, teaching innovation, and societal impact.

• Migration studies
• Transnational migration
• Development studies
• +11 more

Dr. Shanshan Lan is a researcher affiliated with the University of Amsterdam’s Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, where she contributes to the Moving Matters programme group. Her work focuses on urban anthropology, migration patterns, and racial formations across Asia and Euro-America. She examines transnational student mobility, global cities, African diasporas in China, and Chinese diasporas in the U.S., with a particular emphasis on class dynamics and social change. Her research employs ethnographic methods, including walking ethnography in urban environments, to explore how race and migration intersect with globalization. Notable projects include studies on African communities in Guangzhou, the role of the Catholic Church in African diasporas, and the experiences of Western entrepreneurs during the pandemic. Key Interests: Transnational migration, racial knowledge circulation, pandemic sociology, and global urban studies. Recent Focus: Whiteness studies in China, precarious migrant identities, and the impact of globalization on education and labor markets. Lan has received recognition for her work, including the Honorary Mention of the 2006 SUNTA Graduate Student Prize. Her publications span academic journals and edited volumes, addressing topics from racial inclusion policies to transnational business networks.

• Urban Anthropology
• Migration and Mobility Regimes
• Comparative Racial Formations
• +5 more

Professor Ruerd Ruben is an external academic expert in Development Economics with over 300 research outputs spanning food systems, smallholder livelihoods, and rural poverty alleviation. His work focuses on value chain transformation, nutrition, and sustainable agricultural practices in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Research Pillars: Food systems optimization Smallholder economic empowerment Value chain governance Sustainable diets and nutrition Rural development strategies Ruben's recent publications examine midstream actors in informal economies (2025), market-based poverty reduction (2024), and fair trade limitations (2023). His editorial work includes contributions to Food Security journal, and he has supervised 19 PhD projects on topics ranging from Ethiopian potato chains to climate-resilient East African agribusinesses. Scientific Leadership: Contributed to 300+ academic works Received 7 Scopus citations for key publications Active in global food systems discourse

• Food Systems
• Smallholder
• Value Creation
• +5 more

Prof. Han Olff is a Professor of Community and Conservation Ecology at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Science and Engineering, within the Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences. He leads research on ecosystem structure, species interactions, and theoretical ecology, with fieldwork in savannas, salt marshes, and coastal systems. His work bridges theory and conservation, advising organizations like WWF and ARK Nature. Education: PhD (Cum Laude) in Biology from the University of Groningen (1992), MSc in Biology (1988). Research Interests: Focuses on plant-herbivore-predator interactions, ecosystem engineering, and the impact of human activities on biodiversity. Key themes include savanna ecology, food web dynamics, and restoration ecology. Awards: Gold Medal from Teyler Museum (2006) and PIONIER Award (2002). Active in grants like the EU Horizon 2020 AfricanBioServices project. Teaching: Coordinates courses in Conservation Biology, Ecological Research Skills, and Advanced Population Ecology. Leadership: Directed the Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies (2011–2015) and chairs the National Research Agenda's 'Green Route'. Fieldwork: Organizes expeditions to the Serengeti-Mara, Banc d'Arguin, and Bijagos Archipelago to study human-wildlife interactions and ecosystem dynamics.

• Ecology
• Biodiversity Conservation
• Environmental Sciences
• +3 more

Prof. Douglas Sheil is a Chairholder in Forest Ecology and Forest Management at Wageningen University & Research. He holds a MA in Natural Sciences from Cambridge and an MSc in Forestry from Oxford. His career includes roles at the University of Oxford, CIFOR (Indonesia), the Institute for Tropical Forest Conservation in Uganda, and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). His research focuses on tropical forest ecology, biodiversity conservation, and human-forest interactions, with over 200 publications. He co-authored the influential textbook Tropical Rain Forests: Ecology, Diversity, and Conservation (2010). Awards include the Biotropica Prize (2004) and the Queen’s Award for Forestry (2015). Education: MA (Natural Sciences, Cambridge), MSc (Forestry, Oxford) Key Roles: Director of Institute for Tropical Forest Conservation (2008–2012), Professor at NMBU (2013–2020) Research Interests: Tropical forest dynamics, climate change impacts, conservation strategies, and the socio-ecological dimensions of forest management. His work spans field studies in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to address deforestation, biodiversity loss, and sustainable land use. Recent Trends in Articles: Focus on mycorrhizal networks, oil palm impacts, lightning disturbance, and mammal population responses to human activity. He explores mechanisms linking forest structure to ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration and water regulation, often integrating remote sensing and global datasets. Awards: Biotropica Prize, Queen’s Award for Forestry Grants/Projects: Studies on lightning effects in African forests, camera trap mammal surveys, and policy analyses for vegetable oil sustainability. Labs/Teams: Leads interdisciplinary groups at Wageningen, collaborating with CIFOR and international networks. Active in IUCN committees to translate science into conservation policy.

• Forest Ecology
• Biodiversity Conservation
• Climate Change
• +5 more

Dr. Tim Busker is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, specializing in flood and drought early-warning systems and impact-based forecasting. He holds a PhD from VU Amsterdam (2024) and advanced degrees in Earth Surface and Water (Utrecht University) and Earth & Economics (VU Amsterdam). Education: Bachelor’s (cum laude) in Earth & Economics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (2012–2015) Master’s in Earth Surface and Water, Utrecht University (2015–2017) His research focuses on translating forecasts into actionable warnings for regions like East Africa and Europe. Key interests include: Flood and drought forecasting methodologies Impact-based early action frameworks GIS/remote sensing applications in water management Recent work emphasizes machine learning for food security crises and transboundary flood risk assessments in NW Europe. Projects include JCAR-ATRACE and Resilience nEtwork of Smart Innovative cLImate-adapative rOoftops (RESILIENT). Grants/Projects: 6 active/funded projects, including EU-funded CoastMove ERC (2020–2026) Awards: EGU OSPP Award (2023), IWA-ASPIRE Poster Prize (2019)

• Flood Early-Warning Systems
• Impact-Based Forecasting
• Drought Risk Management
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Sandra Ponzanesi is a full Professor at Utrecht University's Department of Media and Culture Studies, leading the Graduate Gender Programme. Her interdisciplinary research bridges postcolonial theory , gender studies , media studies , and digital humanities , with a focus on Italian colonial history, European migration, and postcolonial cinema. PhD in Comparative Literary Studies and Gender Studies (Utrecht University) MA in English and Commonwealth Studies (University of Sussex, UK) MA in Modern Languages and Literature (University of Bologna, Italy) Her work explores how digital technologies reshape European integration through digital diasporas and connected migrant networks. Recent projects like "Virtual Reality as Empathy Machine" examine VR's role in humanitarian communication, while the completed ERC-funded CONNECTINGEUROPE project investigated digital migration's impact on citizenship. Key publication themes include postcolonial cultural industries , transnational women intellectuals , and digital affective belonging . She has co-edited 10+ volumes and guest-edited special issues in Popular Communication , Transnational Screens , and Postcolonial Studies . ERC Consolidator Grant (2014) NWO Internationalization Grant EU 7th Framework Program grant As founder of Utrecht's Postcolonial Studies Initiative and organizer of international conferences, she connects scholars across migrant communities , activist networks , and digital humanities to reimagine Europe's postcolonial future.

• Gender Studies
• Postcolonial Criticism
• Media Studies
• +6 more

Kate Pukhovaia is an Assistant Professor in Ottoman Studies at Utrecht University's Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies within the Faculty of Humanities. She specializes in the early modern socio-political history of the Muslim Middle East, with particular focus on the Arab world during the 14th-18th centuries. Her academic expertise spans multiple domains: Political History of the Middle East History of Political Thought Social History of the Ottoman Empire Islamic Studies with focus on Shiism Arabic Manuscript Studies Dr. Pukhovaia's research examines comparative pre-modern state institutions and political elites in the Middle East, with particular attention to the history of Arabia in its regional context. Her current research project, "Early Modern State Development in Yemen," funded by the Horizon-2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions program, investigates state and political elite development in Yemen during the 13th-17th centuries, with special focus on the role of Ottoman rule (1538-1635) in transforming regional political and social structures. Her scholarly output demonstrates a strong focus on Yemeni history, particularly Zaydi governance structures, tribal kinship systems, and early modern state formation. She has organized significant academic events including the "Biographies of Rulers in the Premodern Islamicate World" workshop and the "Zaydi Governance in Yemen between Legal Theory and Political Practice" conference in 2024. Among her notable achievements is the Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Fellowship awarded in 2021, which supports her research on Yemeni state development. Dr. Pukhovaia is actively involved in academic service, hosting the Leiden Yemeni Studies Lecture series and co-organizing international workshops. She previously held a fellowship at the Polonsky Academy for Advanced Study in the Humanities and Social Sciences at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute (2021-2022). Her educational background includes a PhD in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University and BA/MA degrees from the Institute of Asian and African Studies at Lomonosov Moscow State University.

• Political History
• History of Political Thought
• Social History
• +5 more

Prof. dr. Enoch O. Aboh is Professor of Linguistics at the University of Amsterdam , Faculty of Humanities, Department of Literature and Linguistics. His office is located at Spuistraat 134, room 647, and he can be contacted at e.o.aboh@uva.nl . Research Interests: Prof. Aboh’s work lies at the intersection of formal syntax, language contact, and learnability. He investigates creole formation , multilingual ecologies , Gbe and Kwa syntax , cartographic approaches to clause structure , and sign language morphosyntax . A recurring theme is the emergence and evolution of grammatical systems under contact, approached through both descriptive fieldwork and formal theoretical modelling. His publications reveal a methodological breadth spanning experimental studies with kindergarteners on statistical learning, computational detection of loanwords, and fine-grained syntactic analyses of serial verb constructions, predication patterns, and determiner systems. This spectrum underscores his commitment to integrating cognitive, typological, and formal perspectives on language. Awards & Recognition: While no specific prizes are listed in the current material, Prof. Aboh’s extensive editorial and collaborative work—evidenced by numerous co-edited volumes and Festschrift contributions—attests to his standing in the field. Students & Grants: Details on PhD advisees or funded projects are not provided in the source text. Labs & Teams: No dedicated laboratory or research group names are mentioned, yet his affiliation with the Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication (ACLC) can be inferred from the institutional context.

• Creole linguistics
• Language contact and multilingualism
• Syntax of Gbe and Kwa languages
• +3 more

Sophie Withaeckx is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences , Maastricht University , specializing in philosophy and ethics. Her work bridges critical inquiries into culture, gender, and morality with empirical studies on violence and transnational adoption. Doctorate in Philosophy and Moral Sciences (VUB) Master's in African Languages & Cultures (UGent) and International Politics (University of Antwerp) Research Focus: Normative conceptions of 'humanity' in public institutions and higher education decolonization Ethics of transnational adoption, examining humanness, family structures, and kinship Intersectional analysis of intimate partner violence in general practice Recent Publications address adoption reform resistance, ethical caregiving practices, and intersectional policy frameworks, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to gender, violence, and transnational ethics. PhD Supervision: Eva Vergaert: Intersectional care for intimate partner violence Atamhi Cawayu: Transnational adoption inequalities Folashade Ajayi: Black activism in Europe Career History: Former coordinator at RHEA (VUB), lecturer at Odisee University College, and staff member at IVCA (Intercultural Women’s Center Antwerp).

• Gender Studies
• Feminist Theory
• Ethics
• +10 more

Prof. Niels Bosma is a Full Professor of Social Entrepreneurship and Director of Studies at the Utrecht University School of Economics (U.S.E.), part of Utrecht University's Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance. He holds a PhD in Economic Geography from Utrecht University and an MSc in Econometrics from the University of Groningen. His research focuses on entrepreneurship in regional and social contexts, including social entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial ecosystems, and the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM). He currently serves as a Member of the Board of Directors and Senior Research Advisor for GEM, having previously held roles such as Research Director and co-author of GEM's global reports (2006–2021). Key affiliations include the Utrecht Centre for Entrepreneurship and the Utrecht University Social Entrepreneurship Initiative. His expertise spans entrepreneurship education, innovation policy, and the intersection of entrepreneurship with societal challenges. Notable contributions include advancing public policy for social and high-growth enterprises and exploring the role of culture in entrepreneurial ecosystems. He has published extensively in leading journals such as Small Business Economics , Regional Studies , and Journal of Medical Internet Research . His research interests emphasize understanding entrepreneurial behavior in diverse contexts, particularly how social and regional factors influence economic development. He has collaborated with international organizations like the European Commission and contributed to policy frameworks addressing entrepreneurship's societal impact. His work bridges academic research with practical applications, aiming to foster inclusive and innovative entrepreneurial ecosystems globally.

• Entrepreneurship
• Social Entrepreneurship
• Regional Development
• +5 more