Marian Thunnissen

Prof. Marian Thunnissen holds the Endowed Professor position in Lifelong Learning with and in Higher Education at Utrecht University School of Governance (part-time). She also serves as a lecturer (professor lector) at Fontys University of Applied Sciences' HRM and Applied Psychology school and chairs their Knowledge Centre on Lifelong Learning. Her expertise spans Strategic HRM, Talent Management, and public sector performance.

• Education:
• MSc in Psychology (Utrecht University, 1995)
• PhD in Public Administration and Organizational Science (Utrecht University, 2015)

Her research focuses on professional development, talent management in academia and public organizations, contextual influences on talent policies, and lifelong learning (LLL) in higher education. She advocates for evidence-based practices to bridge theory and practice, notably through her editorship of the Dutch Journal of HRM. Recent projects include a collaboration with FC Utrecht exploring team performance and community health initiatives, managed alongside Prof. Frank van Eekeren.

Advising & Grants: She leads research projects funded by Utrecht University, such as the 'A catalyst for the Utrecht region' partnership with FC Utrecht. While no formal advisees are listed, her work involves organizational development and policy implementation. She contributes to academic networks like the HRM-lectoren Netwerk.

Labs/Teams: Her endowed chair emphasizes LLL research, while her role at Fontys integrates academic and applied HRM practices through the Knowledge Centre.