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Sanne Akerboom is an Assistant Professor of Regulation and Governance of the Energy Transition at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University. She holds a PhD in Law and Political Science from the University of Amsterdam. Her research focuses on legal and social science perspectives of the energy transition, emphasizing transformative law, regulatory frameworks for renewable energy, and the concept of a 'just transition.' She leads the Sustainable Industry Lab, a collaborative initiative advancing sustainable industrial transformation, and co-leads research hubs on Energy in Transition and Future of Citizen-Based Initiatives. Key projects include ZEEKRAL (examining renewable energy decision-making) and the Fair Energy Transition Center (addressing equity in energy systems). A member of the Utrecht Young Academy since 2022, she bridges academic and societal engagement through media contributions and policy advice. Education: LL.M. and MSc in Political Science (University of Amsterdam) Research Projects: ZEEKRAL (NWO-funded), Sustainable Industry Lab, Fair Energy Transition Center Research Interests: Energy policy, regulatory governance, renewable energy systems, climate justice, and sustainable industrial strategies. Her work explores how legal frameworks and participatory processes can foster equitable transitions, particularly in renewable energy production, urban heating systems, and heavy industry. Media and Public Engagement: Regular contributor to Dutch media on energy policy and climate issues, including interviews on wind energy conflicts, industrial sustainability, and just transition frameworks. Over 75+ media contributions since 2018. Supervision and Grants: Supervises PhD candidates on topics like energy cooperatives and transition narratives. Projects funded by NWO, the Province of Zeeland, and collaborative industry-academia partnerships. Labs/Teams: Director of the Sustainable Industry Lab, co-leads the Pathways to Sustainability and Institutions for Open Societies research themes at Utrecht University.

• Energy Policy
• Regulation and Governance of Energy Transition
• Sustainable Industry
• +4 more

Frank Biermann is a Research Professor of Global Sustainability Governance at Utrecht University's Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development. He is a globally recognized scholar in global environmental governance, pioneering the 'earth system governance' paradigm and founding the Earth System Governance Project. His work focuses on sustainability transitions, climate policy, and the political impact of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Education: Habilitation in Political Science (2001), PhD in Political Science (1997, summa cum laude), Master's in Political Science and International Law. Research interests include institutional architectures for sustainability, global climate governance, and the role of international organizations. He has directed a 2.5-million-EUR ERC-funded program on SDG steering effects and authored over 20 books and 200 articles. Notable contributions include The Political Impact of the Sustainable Development Goals (2022) and Architectures of Earth System Governance (2020). Recent work explores solar geoengineering governance, policy coherence for sustainability, and the societal impacts of SDGs. Awards include the Volvo Environment Prize (2024) and the ERC Advanced Grant (2017). Awards: Distinguished Scholar Award (2021), Ecological Society of America’s Innovation in Sustainability Science Award (2019), World Academy of Art and Science Fellowship (2016). Grants/Advising: Directed Netherlands Research School for Socio-Economic and Natural Sciences of the Environment (2007–2014), supervised 26 PhD students, and advises global institutions like the Stockholm Environment Institute. He chairs the Earth System Governance Foundation and participates in transdisciplinary initiatives addressing Anthropocene challenges. His research bridges academia and policy, influencing UN processes and international dialogues on sustainability.

• Environmental Governance
• Sustainable Development
• Climate Policy
• +4 more

Prof. Dr. Stephanie Rosenkranz is a Professor of Microeconomics and Dean of the Utrecht University Honors College. She holds a Ph.D. from Humboldt University of Berlin (1996) and a Habilitation from the University of Bonn (2003). Her primary affiliation is with the Utrecht School of Economics (USE) within the Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance. Rosenkranz leads research in microeconomic theory with a focus on behavioral economics, network analysis, and experimental methods. She has directed major research programs such as the UU-Hipo 'Dyconi' project (2005-2013) exploring cooperation networks and institutions. Her research interests span social preferences, institutional design, and applied behavioral insights in policy contexts like energy efficiency and social assistance. Notable recent work includes studies on voting behavior, lying in multi-dimensional contexts, and the impact of communication strategies on firm energy conservation. Rosenkranz has served in academic leadership roles including Director of the Undergraduate School at USE (2007-2011) and currently chairs the GXP Foundation. Her work bridges theoretical microeconomics with practical policy applications in sustainability and public governance. Rosenkranz has published over 70 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, with contributions to journals like Journal of Public Economics, Political Science Research and Methods, and Experimental Economics. Her research often employs experimental methods to analyze strategic behavior in social dilemmas, network formation, and institutional frameworks. Recent grants include investigations into welfare policy design and the behavioral economics of money laundering regulations. Her academic networks include memberships in the Econometric Society, European Economic Association, and American Economic Association. Rosenkranz leads the 'Institutions for Open Societies' research theme at Utrecht University, emphasizing transdisciplinary approaches to societal challenges such as sustainable diets and participatory governance reforms.

• Microeconomics
• Behavioral Economics
• Experimental Economics
• +4 more

Uwe Peters is Assistant Professor in Theoretical Philosophy at Utrecht University's Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies. His research investigates cognitive and social biases, societal implications of artificial intelligence, and meta-science (scientific research on scientific cognition). Primary expertise spans philosophy of science, psychology, AI ethics, and cognitive science. Education includes: MSc in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health, King's College London (2022) PhD in Philosophy, King's College London (2016) MA Philosophy of Psychology, King's College London (2011) MA Philosophy, University of Canterbury (2010) Research focuses on human-centered AI, examining algorithmic political bias, generalization errors in scientific models, and linguistic discrimination in academia. Recent work analyzes cultural biases in explainable AI systems and generalization patterns in large language models. Teaching covers Philosophy of AI, Practical Ethics, and Ethics of Technology. Professional background includes postdoctoral positions at University of Cambridge's Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence and University of Bonn's Center for Science and Thought.

• Philosophy of Science
• Cognitive Biases
• Artificial Intelligence Ethics
• +3 more

Professor A.H.L.M. Pieters is a distinguished academic at Utrecht University's Faculty of Science, holding a professorship in both Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology and the History and Philosophy of Science. Appointed to his chair in History of Pharmacy and Allied Sciences with an inaugural lecture delivered on April 18, 2011, Professor Pieters has established himself as a leading interdisciplinary scholar bridging historical, pharmaceutical, and digital humanities perspectives. His research interests span the history of pharmacy, medicine, and science with particular focus on colonial medicine, drug policy history, and digital humanities approaches to historical research. Professor Pieters has pioneered work on the history of leprosy in Suriname, cinchona and quinine production, opioid history, and the governance of controlled substances. His methodological approach combines traditional historical research with digital tools and text mining techniques to analyze historical public debates on drugs and medicine. Professor Pieters' publication record reveals a fascinating trajectory from historical pharmaceutical studies toward increasingly interdisciplinary work that connects medical history with contemporary digital society issues. While maintaining his core focus on pharmaceutical history, his recent work has expanded into digital humanities applications, political deliberation, and AI-assisted research methods, demonstrating remarkable adaptability while preserving historical rigor. As an active academic leader, Professor Pieters has organized numerous conferences including the Materia Medica on the Move series, chaired events like the KNMP Pharmacogenomics Congress, and delivered invited talks on topics ranging from antidepressant history to colonial pharmaceutical networks. His work contributes to multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to health and sustainable communities. Professor Pieters maintains an active research group focused on the history of pharmacy and allied sciences, with particular attention to how historical perspectives can inform contemporary pharmaceutical challenges. His work bridges the gap between historical scholarship and current pharmaceutical practice, demonstrating the relevance of historical understanding for contemporary medical and pharmaceutical issues.

• History of Pharmacy
• History of Medicine
• History of Science
• +11 more

Prof. Fredo Schotanus is a Professor of Public Procurement at Utrecht University's School of Economics, specializing in sustainable and strategic procurement practices. He leads the Utrecht University Centre for Public Procurement (UUCePP), an interdisciplinary research hub focusing on legal and economic dimensions of public procurement. His research emphasizes leveraging procurement to drive societal goals like sustainability, social entrepreneurship, and circular economy principles. Key areas include policy effectiveness, joint procurement strategies, and the role of open data in enhancing transparency. Educated at the University of Twente (PhD 2007, MSc 2002), Schotanus previously held roles as an Assistant Professor and Principal Consultant. His work is funded by ministries, municipalities, and international entities like the EU and IKEA Foundation. Awards include the NEVI Zorg Best Healthcare Paper Award (2015) and multiple Louis Brownlow Awards for impactful research. Research projects span CO2 Performance Ladder implementation, EU procurement reforms, and data purchasing strategies. He advises on procurement policies and collaborates with Nevi and the Rijksinkoopsamenwerking. Schotanus' inaugural lecture, 'A Better World Starts with Public Procurement,' underscores procurement's potential to address global challenges through innovative contracting and policy design. Publications include over 50 peer-reviewed articles and books, with a focus on strategic procurement, sustainability, and institutional influences. He contributes to policy briefs, webinars, and international conferences, advocating for evidence-based procurement practices to enhance societal impact.

• Public Procurement
• Sustainability
• Public-Private Collaboration
• +9 more

Bjorn de Koeijer is an Assistant Professor at the University of Twente, specializing in Information-driven Product Development & Engineering. His research focuses on sustainable packaging solutions, circular economy principles, and the intersection of consumer behavior with environmental impact. He actively contributes to transdisciplinary collaborations and educational frameworks that embed sustainability into design processes. Key research interests include: Designing sustainable packaging systems for retail and e-commerce environments Consumer behavior analysis related to packaging waste and dietary choices Strategic and operational frameworks for achieving sustainability in packaging development Future-oriented packaging design methodologies Recent work explores topics such as the 'Supermarket of the Future,' refill systems, and material flow analysis in The Netherlands. His research emphasizes actionable tools for businesses and educational interventions to foster sustainability awareness. Dr. de Koeijer has supervised PhD defenses on topics like 'Toolless features for DIY PC building' and 'Uncertainty thinking in product development,' demonstrating engagement with both academic and practical challenges in engineering education. He is affiliated with the University of Twente's Department of Information-driven Product Development & Engineering, contributing to initiatives that bridge academic research with real-world applications in sustainability and circular systems.

• Sustainability
• Packaging Engineering
• Circular Economy
• +4 more

Dr. Wolter Jager is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology. His research focuses on designing functional organic molecules and materials for advanced energy applications, particularly perylene-based compounds for artificial photosynthesis, organic batteries, and fluorescent probes. Collaborations include Ferdinand Grozema (photoactive materials) and Erik Kelder (electroactive materials). He holds a PhD from the University of Groningen (1994) and conducted postdoctoral research at Bowling Green State University. His educational roles include leading lab courses for MST bachelor students, teaching Green Chemistry in Sustainability minors, and coordinating research technicians. His lab develops scalable synthetic methods for perylene derivatives, emphasizing structure-property relationships and application in energy systems. Research highlights include modular light-harvesting antenna systems, fluorescent probes for pH monitoring, and electroactive materials for alkali-ion batteries. His work bridges organic chemistry with applications in sustainable energy, leveraging molecular engineering to address global energy challenges. Current projects explore COFs/MOFs for artificial photosynthesis and organic battery electrode materials. Dr. Jager actively contributes to academic governance as an exam committee member and safety officer. Publications span over 50 peer-reviewed articles, emphasizing novel synthetic pathways, optoelectronic material design, and energy system applications. His lab fosters interdisciplinary innovation, integrating organic synthesis, materials characterization, and device engineering to advance functional molecular materials for next-generation energy technologies.

• Perylene Chemistry
• Artificial Photosynthesis
• Organic Battery Materials
• +4 more

Dr. Gert Pasman is affiliated with the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering at Delft University of Technology. He specializes in Human-Centered Design and Human Technology Relations, focusing on healthcare interventions, assistive technologies, and inclusive design. His research bridges design methodologies with healthcare challenges, particularly for neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease and dementia. Key research interests include co-design approaches for patient-centered solutions, smart object interaction, and innovation strategies for small businesses. He teaches courses such as Interactive Formgiving , emphasizing hands-on design processes. Recent publications highlight creative therapies for Parkinson's patients, assistive tools for dementia care, and automotive innovation in SMEs. His work integrates user-centric principles with technological advancements to address societal challenges. No scientific awards are explicitly listed, but his contributions span academic and applied design domains. He collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and is based in room 32.C-3-300 at TU Delft.

• Human-Centered Design
• Healthcare Design
• Human-Technology Interaction
• +3 more

Dr. Roy Bendor is an Associate Professor of Critical Design at TU Delft's Department of Human-Centered Design, directing the Design for Interaction (DfI) Master's program. He holds a secondary appointment as Fellow at Utrecht University's Urban Futures Studio. His research focuses on design's capacity to envision alternative social, political, and environmental futures through critical design practices. Key areas include sustainability, AI integration in design processes, and participatory futuring methods. Education: Ph.D. in Design Studies (implied by academic rank) His work bridges design theory and practice, emphasizing sustainability through publications like Interactive Media for Sustainability (2018) and editorial contributions to ACM's Interactions magazine. Current research includes the DCODE project exploring alternative imaginaries for smart cities. Publications emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to futures studies, public engagement, and AI ethics. Teaching focuses on transformative pedagogy for design education. Awards: Not explicitly listed in provided texts Led development of DfI program curriculum and supervises graduate projects addressing interaction design challenges. Active in academic collaborations across design, sustainability, and urban studies disciplines.

• Critical Design
• Sustainability
• Future Studies
• +3 more

Pan Wang is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE) at TU Delft. Her research focuses on AI for design, particularly Human-machine (AI) co-creativity, integrating human-computer interaction, brain-computer interfaces, and AI-driven creative processes. She developed the 'symbiotic creativity' framework, an interactive system enabling human-AI collaboration throughout creative workflows. Education: PhD from the Dyson School of Design Engineering and Data Science Institute at Imperial College London. Research emphases include generative AI, brain-computer interfaces, and AI-generated artworks. She explores innovative methods for human-AI interaction in design contexts. Publications (2024–2025) highlight advancements in AI-co-creation tools, generative models for typography, and evaluation frameworks for AI art. Current work addresses interdisciplinary applications of AI in creative industries. No secondary employment declared (2023–2026). Teaches research modules (3 & 5 ECTS) at IDE, contributing to both academic and applied design education.

• Generative AI
• Human-machine Co-creativity
• Brain Computer Interface
• +3 more

Jasper Bakker, MSc is an active researcher specializing in sustainable transportation infrastructure with a focus on electric road systems and fleet electrification strategies. His work bridges computer science applications with practical transportation solutions, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean energy and sustainable cities. His research interests center on network design for electric transportation infrastructure, with particular expertise in adoption potential analysis of electric road systems during early development stages. His work examines infrastructure investment strategies, fleet renewal processes, and the integration of electric trucks into existing transportation networks, employing computational methods to optimize system performance. His publication record shows a clear trajectory of increasingly sophisticated research on transportation electrification, with recent work focusing on strategic fleet replacement models using mixed-integer programming approaches. His 2025 paper in Applied Energy represents the most current work in this emerging field. Bakker has established productive collaborations with researchers including Lopez Alvarez, Veldman, and Buijs, suggesting affiliation with an institution focused on operations research and sustainable transportation solutions. His work demonstrates strong methodological rigor with applications to real-world decarbonization challenges in the freight transportation sector.

• Network Design
• Electric Road Systems
• Fleet Renewal
• +5 more

Sonia Ghosh is a Promovendus (PhD candidate) at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, specializing in Astronomy. Her research focuses on analyzing high-redshift 21 cm signals to study cosmic reionization, with significant work involving the LOFAR telescope and related data processing challenges. Key research areas include power spectrum analysis, intergalactic medium properties, radio frequency interference mitigation, and the impact of data compression techniques on observational accuracy. She collaborates on multi-institutional projects and contributes to advancing methodologies for signal calibration and foreground removal in radio astronomy. Recent publications emphasize LOFAR's role in constraining the state of the intergalactic medium at z∼8-10, improving power spectrum measurements, and designing future lunar-based interferometers like the Dark Ages Explorer (DEX) to explore the universe's earliest epochs.

• Power Spectra
• LOFAR
• Radio Frequency Interference
• +7 more

Ferry van Kann is Assistant Professor of Environmental Planning at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Spatial Sciences. He coordinates master's theses in Environmental and Infrastructure Planning programs and contributes to the university's Energy Minor. Research expertise includes: Marine spatial planning and offshore renewable energy integration Strategic environmental assessment methodologies Governance of sustainability transitions Regional energy planning systems His recent publications focus on conflict resolution in marine spatial planning, particularly regarding offshore wind development in the North Sea region. Articles demonstrate consistent analysis of institutional barriers and policy implementation challenges in energy transitions. Dr. van Kann's work advances sustainable energy integration through improved spatial governance frameworks and stakeholder engagement strategies.

• Marine Spatial Planning
• Offshore Energy
• Environmental Governance
• +2 more

Dr. Karim Rafie is an Assistant Professor in Molecular Pharmacology at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen. His research focuses on host-pathogen interactions, structural biology, and virology. He investigates viral entry mechanisms, enzymatic processes in posttranslational modifications (e.g., O-GlcNAc transferase), and drug delivery systems using extracellular vesicles. His work contributes to understanding infectious diseases, neurodegenerative mechanisms, and therapeutic development. Research Interests: - Structural biology of viral pathogens (e.g., adenoviruses) - Enzyme inhibitors and ligase activity modulation - Extracellular vesicle-based drug delivery - O-GlcNAc glycosylation and its biological roles Recent Articles: Dr. Rafie’s publications highlight advancements in viral capsid structure determination, enzymatic mechanisms (e.g., E3 ligases, O-GlcNAc transferase), and applications of extracellular vesicles in medicine. His 2025 studies address calcium signaling in neuronal death and inhalable dry powder formulations, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to pharmacology and biomedicine. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, focusing on molecular pharmacology and structural enzymology.

• Virology
• Structural Biology
• Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
• +4 more