Rens Kortmann

Rens Kortmann is an Assistant Professor at Delft University of Technology, affiliated with the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management and the Multi-Actor Systems department. He operates within the Policy Analysis group, focusing on systems modeling and simulation to address societal challenges like energy transitions.

• Education: MSc in Cognitive Science (University of Groningen), PhD in Computer Science (Maastricht University), with research experience at Edinburgh's Artificial Intelligence department

His research emphasizes simulation gaming as a primary method, complemented by discrete event simulation, agent-based models, and cybernetics. He investigates games' potential to drive cultural change through embodied experiences and ludic performances, collaborating on projects like:

• ROTBEESTEN?! – a motivator game for forensic mental healthcare training
• Talk that Talk – persuasive card game against sexually transgressive behavior
• Veerkracht series – servant-leadership development games
• Parsifal Game Opera – performance-art-meets-game cultural experiments

Key trends in his publications include:

• 2023-2021: Forensic vigilance training, sexually transgressive behavior interventions
• 2019-2018: Contextual game design principles, urban canal logistics
• 2016-2014: Ludic performances, servant-leadership simulations

Scientific recognition includes:

• Mekel Prize for sustainable innovation (2017) from TU Delft
• Organized ISAGA game design summer school (2014) and served as ISAGA conference chair (2017)

He contributes to academic governance as a reviewer for journals/conferences and through collaborative works with researchers like Vincent Peters, Alexander Verbraeck, and Gwendolen Bekebrede. His 2024-2026 secondary affiliation includes the Macromechanic Laboratory in Civil Engineering and Geosciences.