Ellen Loots

Dr. Ellen Loots is an Associate Professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam, affiliated with the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication and the Department of Arts and Culture Studies. Her academic work bridges entrepreneurship and creativity within the cultural and creative sectors, emphasizing sustainability, community, and innovation. She is actively involved in international research collaborations and leads initiatives such as the ReCharge (Horizon) project and SeCuM.

Her research interests focus on:

• Entrepreneurship in arts and culture
• New forms of finance and funding (e.g., crowdfunding)
• Self-curating musicians and portfolio careers
• Joint value creation in the circular economy, especially in fashion and textiles
• Art-Science-Technology collaborations aligned with the New European Bauhaus
• Business model innovation for participatory practices in museums and cultural heritage

Her recent publications explore sustainability transitions, cultural economics, and collaborative innovation. Key themes across her recent work include co-creation, systemic change in the arts, and the economic and social value of cultural activities.

She has received notable scientific awards, including:

• EURAM Best Paper Award 2024
• Sharon T. Alpi Award for Innovative Arts Entrepreneurship Pedagogy (2024)
• Winner of the Best Doctoral Thesis in Cultural Management (2015)
• EURAM - SIG Project Management Best Paper Award (2024)
• Nomination for Best Paper Award in Creative Industries Entrepreneurship (2018)

Dr. Loots supervises eight PhD candidates whose research spans audience engagement, club culture, teaching artists, streaming media, and international music policy. She is also engaged in professional service through external roles such as Validator for EKIP (European Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Policy Platform) and membership in the Advisory Commission of Boekman Stichting. She contributes to research networks including ERMeCHS, STiCS (Sustainable Transitions in Culture & Societies), and VCE (Value in the Creative Economy), and frequently participates in conferences, editorial work, and public commentary on cultural trends and economic challenges in the arts.

Her work is closely aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to sustainable cities, responsible consumption, and reduced inequalities through cultural innovation.