Suzanne van der Beek

Dr. Suzanne van der Beek is an Assistant Professor at Tilburg University's Department of Culture Studies within the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences. Her research focuses on Children's Literature, Climate Change, Queer Feminism, and Rituals, with notable contributions to understanding the Anthropocene's impact on cultural narratives and intergenerational justice. She actively publishes in peer-reviewed journals like Bookbird and Jeunesse, and collaborates internationally on projects addressing climate justice and feminist spaces.

Her work bridges literary analysis with socio-cultural critique, examining themes such as gender representation in youth literature, queer feminist activism through bookstores, and the role of rituals in environmental crises. She leads educational initiatives like 'Ungrading' and 'Playful Learning' at Tilburg University, emphasizing innovative assessment methods and student-centered pedagogy.

Van der Beek organizes academic events like the Child and the Book Conference and participates in interdisciplinary research networks. Her recent projects include exploring eco-anxiety in children's literature and decolonizing climate narratives. She is affiliated with the Rapid Social and Cultural Transformation research group and mentors students in Cultural Studies and Children's Literature.