Mascha C. van der Voort is a Full Professor at the University of Twente's Faculty of Engineering Technology, Department of Human Centered Design. Her work focuses on transdisciplinary design methodologies, inclusive technology, and sustainability. She has contributed over 180 research outputs since 1996, with notable contributions to empathy-driven design for neurodiverse populations and climate-resilient infrastructure solutions. Expertise includes: Design Theory, User-Centered Design, Automation in Design, and Sustainability. Recipient of the Best Paper Award at the 10th International Conference on Design, User Experience and Usability (2021). Active in academic governance, serving as Chair of the Faculty of Engineering Technology Board since 2021. Her research integrates transdisciplinary collaboration, with recent work exploring futures studies and co-speculation methodologies. She has supervised 18 graduate students and contributed to datasets addressing river research communication and autistic lifeworld-informed technology design.
Jacky Bourgeois is an Assistant Professor of Data-Centric Design at Delft University of Technology's Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE), leading the Data-Centric Delft Design Lab. His work bridges Human-Computer Interaction, Data Science, and Participatory Design, focusing on methods like data donation to empower collaborative data exploration. He holds a computer science background, previously researching ubiquitous technologies for domestic energy practices of 'energy farmers' (solar households). Key projects include the PROMISE study on patient-led oncological care and the Data Donation initiative promoting ethical data practices. Education: Background in Computer Science; academic focus on sustainable design engineering and IoT. Teaching includes courses like 'Data-Centric Design for...' (2024) and 'Digital Product Development' (2023). Research Interests: Data as subjective inquiry material, data intimacy, data commons, and human-data interaction in home contexts. Notable contributions include PAIRcolator for collaborative data reflection and Tangi for 360° video insights. Awards include Best Paper at CHI 2025 and DIS '24 Best Paper. Grants & Collaborations: NWO-funded research on hospital sounds (2024), IoT Rapid Proto Labs for industry-academia partnerships, and ancillary role as a scientific employee at The Open University (2025–2027). Labs & Teams: Director of the Data-Centric Delft Design Lab; collaborates with the HCI Data & Design SIG. Current projects address ethical frameworks for data donation and patient-centered healthcare systems.
Dr. Wim Biemans is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business of the University of Groningen, specializing in Innovation Management and Marketing. He holds a PhD from Eindhoven University of Technology (1989) and has over 25 years of experience in research, teaching, and consulting. His work focuses on service innovation, B2B marketing, customer involvement in innovation, and the marketing-sales interface. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles and books, including the best-selling Dutch B2B marketing textbook. His research has been recognized with awards like the Thomas P. Hustad Best Paper Award. He serves as Triage Editor for the Journal of Product Innovation Management and editorial board member for Industrial Marketing Management and Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing. Biemans teaches at the University of Groningen and multiple international institutions, including guest professor roles in Europe, Asia, and the U.S. He also designs executive programs for managerial training in innovation management and customer value creation. His recent research explores humor’s impact on creativity, digital tools in sales-marketing integration, and bridging technology-to-product development gaps. He emphasizes end-to-end value creation through intra-organizational collaboration and has published on the Valley of Death ecosystem challenges in innovation commercialization.
Sascha van Schendel is an Assistant Professor in Data Protection & Cybersecurity at the Department of Law & Markets, Erasmus School of Law, Erasmus University Rotterdam. She is affiliated with the Erasmus Centre of Law and Digitalization and contributes to the Sectorplan SSH-Breed research initiative on the influence of digitalization on work, prosperity, and entrepreneurship. Her research lies at the intersection of law, technology, and fundamental rights, with a focus on data protection, privacy, algorithmic governance, and the regulation of emerging technologies in public and environmental domains. She has published widely on topics including GDPR compliance, privacy by design, smart energy systems, AI in criminal justice, and the legal implications of predictive policing. The recent publications reflect a strong trend toward the regulation of data in public infrastructure (e.g., energy grids), algorithmic accountability in law enforcement, and the integration of legal and technical perspectives in privacy-preserving systems. Her work spans environmental law, criminal procedure, and digital constitutionalism, demonstrating interdisciplinary reach. Scientific Awards: No awards explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Advising and Grants: While no formal PhD or Master’s students are listed, Dr. van Schendel has been involved in significant research projects such as the NWO-funded Megamind project on smart energy grids, indicating experience with competitive grant funding. She actively collaborates with legal scholars and contributes to public policy debates, including responses to national legislation like the Dutch Cybersecurity Bill. Labs and Teams: She is a core member of the Erasmus Centre of Law and Digitalization, a research hub focusing on the legal challenges of digital transformation. Her work is embedded in interdisciplinary collaborations involving law, technology, and public policy experts.
Dr. Jeewanie Jayasinghe Arachchige is a Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Faculty of Science. She teaches undergraduate courses including Bachelor Project Computer Science, Professional Development, and Software Engineering Processes for the academic year 2024–2025. Her research focuses on process mining , healthcare informatics , and data security . She applies process mining to analyze healthcare pathways and subpopulation treatment variations, develops explainable AI frameworks for predictive analytics, and examines data governance in emerging architectures like Data Lakehouses. Her work intersects legal informatics, particularly formalizing Sri Lankan civil court processes using ontology engineering. Recent publications highlight trends in balancing simplicity and complexity in process modeling, Industry 4.0 healthcare applications, and cybersecurity in model-driven web development. She has contributed to over 20 peer-reviewed articles since 2006, spanning topics from service-oriented architectures to value network analysis. Her teaching and research emphasize practical applications of IT in healthcare, legal systems, and enterprise environments. No ancillary activities are currently recorded.
Lorena Sosa is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance, Utrecht University, specializing in International and European Law. She is affiliated with the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (SIM) and the research program Family & Law (UCERF). Her roles include membership of the management board of the Center for Global Challenges, Director of Education at UGlobe since 2022, and a community-engaged learning ambassador for her faculty since 2023. Education: PhD (cum laude) in Law from Tilburg University (2015), LL.M. in International Public Law (cum laude, National University of Córdoba), and a law degree from the same institution. Prior to Utrecht, she held positions at the University of Buenos Aires, University of Turku, and others. Research focuses on intersectional discrimination, gender-based violence, and human rights law. Key areas include the Istanbul Convention, feminist legal frameworks, and trans rights in criminal procedures. She employs socio-legal methods and collaborates with international organizations like the EU, Council of Europe, and UN. Publications span topics like femicide, domestic violence, and transgender experiences. Recent works include contributions to the Routledge International Handbook on Femicide and Feminicide (2023) and Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women (2023). Awards include the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship (2018), VENI Grant (2020), and the Max van der Stoel Award (2015) for her PhD on intersectionality in violence against women frameworks. Teaching includes courses on human rights law at Utrecht’s Legal Research Master, PIL Master, and University College Utrecht. She advises on projects related to victim rights, gender diversity, and empirical legal studies.
Prof. Dr. Pinar Yolum Birbil is a leading researcher in Responsible AI at the Faculty of Science , Utrecht University . Her work bridges Artificial Intelligence , Privacy and Data Protection , and Software Agents , focusing on Human-Centered AI and Trustworthy Systems . She is part of the AI & Data Science and Responsible AI research groups. PhD in Computer Science, North Carolina State University (2003) MS in Computer Science, North Carolina State University (2000) BSc in Computer Engineering, Marmara University (1998) Her research explores Privacy Preservation in collaborative systems, Computational Theory of Mind for human-agent coordination, and Norm-Based AI Systems . Recent projects include the Hybrid Intelligence Center and tools like PANOLA for privacy support. She investigates how AI can balance user autonomy , ethical norms , and societal values in applications ranging from urban planning to healthcare. Her scientific publications (2023-2025) span topics like Explainable Privacy , Trust in Hybrid Teams , and AI for Diabetes Management , appearing in venues such as JAIR , AAMAS , and ACM TOIT . She emphasizes collaborative AI , with contributions to multiagent simulations and privacy-preserving mechanisms . Scientific Awards : NC State University Alumni Hall of Fame (2017) Woman Entrepreneur of the Year (Microsoft Turkey & KAGIDER, 2017) Bogazici University Academic Encouragement Award (multiple years) Best Paper Award at ESAW 2009 She supervises a dynamic research group with PhD students working on Hybrid Intelligence , Computational Ethics , and Privacy Modeling . Her projects often involve interdisciplinary collaboration with institutions like TNO and the Transforming Cities Hub .
Jakob Schoeffer is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Artificial Intelligence department at the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen (Netherlands). His work focuses on the intersection of human decision-making and artificial intelligence, particularly in high-stakes contexts where fairness, transparency, and appropriate human-AI collaboration are critical. Dr. Schoeffer's research interests center on responsible and explainable AI, with specific focus areas including: Human-AI collaboration dynamics in decision-making processes Fairness perceptions and interventions in AI systems Appropriate reliance on AI recommendations Explainable AI techniques for high-stakes domains Transparency mechanisms that improve human-AI team performance Label indeterminacy issues in medical AI applications His recent publications (2023-2025) reveal a strong trend toward applying AI research in critical domains like healthcare (particularly neurological recovery prediction), while maintaining a rigorous focus on the human aspects of AI deployment. His work spans both theoretical foundations of human-AI interaction and practical implementations, often employing mixed-methods approaches that combine technical AI development with behavioral studies. Dr. Schoeffer actively collaborates with researchers across institutions including the University of Texas at Austin and has made significant contributions to top conferences in AI ethics, fairness, and human-computer interaction. His research has been featured in multiple news outlets and policy discussions, indicating real-world impact of his work on responsible AI development. Prior to his current appointment, Dr. Schoeffer was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Texas at Austin. He received his PhD from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Germany with a dissertation titled "On the Interplay of Transparency and Fairness in AI-Informed Decision-Making." He also holds a master's degree in Operations Research from Georgia Tech and industry experience as a Senior Data Scientist at IBM.
Arthur Weststeijn is an Assistant Professor in Political History at Utrecht University, specializing in the history of the Dutch Republic and its colonial empire, the history and contemporary politics of Italy, and the history of Spain and Latin America. He is affiliated with the Department of History and Art History within the Humanities faculty and is part of the Research Institute for History and Art History, focusing on International and Political History. Dr. Weststeijn's educational background includes: PhD in History, European University Institute, Florence (2010) RMA in History, European University Institute, Florence (2006) MA in Philosophy, University of Amsterdam (2005) MA in History, University of Amsterdam (2004) Erasmus Exchange, Universidad de Sevilla (2000-2001) His research focuses on the intellectual history of power, particularly examining ideas that express and contest political authority through two main themes: colonialism (how ideas have shaped European colonialism and resistance against it) and republicanism (how resistance to autocratic rule has given rise to ideas of liberty, citizenship, and democracy). His work spans early-modern Dutch colonialism, anticolonial thought, the history of democracy, and connections between ancient and modern forms of settler colonialism. He has published extensively on early modern republicanism, the political uses of classical heritage, and the making of modern Italy. Weststeijn's scholarly output demonstrates a consistent focus on the intersections between political thought, colonial history, and republican theory. His work often examines how historical ideas continue to shape contemporary political discourse, particularly regarding democracy, citizenship, and colonial legacies. He frequently engages with both European and transatlantic intellectual traditions, showing particular expertise in Dutch and Italian political thought. His notable awards and fellowships include: Fellow, Huntington Library, San Marino, California (Summer 2022) Fellow, John Carter Brown Library, Providence, Rhode Island (Spring 2019) Director of Historical Studies, Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome (2011-2017) Dr. Weststeijn has served as a visiting researcher at prestigious institutions including the Cambridge Centre for Political Thought, University of Southern California, University of Wisconsin at Madison, and University of Padua. He frequently appears as an expert commentator on Italian culture and politics in Dutch media and maintains an active public intellectual presence. He is involved in multiple research initiatives including the IOS research themes on Contesting Governance, Futures of Democracy, and Longtermism and Institutional Change. His work often involves interdisciplinary collaboration with archaeologists, classicists, and scholars from various humanities disciplines.
Prof. Dr. Madalina Busuioc is a Full Professor of Public Governance at the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. She serves as Director of the Graduate School of Social Sciences and co-Director of the R&I Lab on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Governance. Her ERC-funded research explores public accountability in the AI era, with a focus on algorithmic governance and cognitive biases in administrative decision-making. She holds a PhD cum laude from Utrecht University (2010). Her research interests center on public power dynamics, algorithmic governance, and institutional accountability. Notable contributions include work on AI's impact on citizen-state interactions, reputational authority in bureaucracy, and regulatory oversight mechanisms. Her book European Agencies: Law and Practices of Accountability (Oxford UP) and peer-reviewed articles in Public Administration Review , Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory , and Governance highlight her scholarly impact. Teaching contributions include designing the MSc Public Administration: Artificial Intelligence and Governance program, which integrates technical and governance perspectives. Awards include the Haldane Prize (2016) and Fernand Braudel Fellowship (2021). She advises on AI policy through ancillary roles like membership in the Meijers Commission on international law. Her research projects address AI ethics, algorithmic accountability, and regulatory innovation. Recent work explores behavioral dimensions of human-AI collaboration in public services and the societal implications of AI adoption in administrative systems.
Dr. Jarno Hoekman is an Associate Professor in Innovation Studies at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University. His research focuses on the dynamics and governance of science in the context of innovation, regulation, and societal challenges, with particular emphasis on sustainability and health. He is affiliated with both the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development and the Utrecht collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Policy & Regulation in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Dr. Hoekman serves as the programme leader of the research master in Innovation Sciences and teaches academic integrity courses to Master students and PhD candidates. Dr. Hoekman's research is organized around three interconnected themes: Science in transition , examining how scientific practices and institutional arrangements are evolving through open science, interdisciplinary research collaborations, and alternative recognition systems; Regulatory science and innovation , investigating innovations in tools and standards for assessing risks and benefits of new technologies, including safety assessment methods and regulatory authorization standards; and Geography of science , exploring the role of location factors in scientific knowledge production and diffusion. Analysis of Dr. Hoekman's recent publications (2022-2024) reveals a strong interdisciplinary focus spanning pharmacology, toxicology, innovation studies, and science policy. Key research trends include examining conditional marketing authorization pathways, post-approval studies for conditionally authorized medicines, animal-free safety testing methodologies, and the societal impact of transdisciplinary research projects. His work frequently employs mixed-methods approaches and involves multi-stakeholder perspectives to address complex regulatory and innovation challenges. Dr. Hoekman actively contributes to policy-relevant research, including major European Commission studies on pharmaceutical legislation. His collaborative work extends across multiple institutions and involves interdisciplinary teams working on pharmaceutical policy, sustainable innovation, and science-society interactions. As a member of the Utrecht Young Academy and the UU Open Science Platform, he engages with broader academic community initiatives related to research integrity and open science practices.
Arjen Boin is a Professor of Public Institutions and Governance at Leiden University's Institute of Political Science. He serves as Director Strategy and Organisation on the Institute Board. Previously, he held roles at Utrecht School of Governance and Louisiana State University. His research focuses on crisis management, institutional resilience, and EU crisis coordination. He has authored influential books like Governing the Pandemic and The Politics of Crisis Management , which won the APSA Herbert A. Simon Award. Boin edits journals like Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management and advises via Crisisplan BV. His teaching spans BSc and MSc Political Science programs. Education: Previous academic positions imply advanced degrees in political science, though specific education details are not explicitly provided in the text. Research Interests: Crisis management strategies, disaster coordination mechanisms, institutional resilience, and EU transboundary crisis capacities. His work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing policy design and leadership during crises. Recent focus includes pandemic governance and creeping crises. Grants/Awards: APSA Herbert A. Simon Book Award. He collaborates widely, including with the European Societal Security Research Group. PhD supervision areas include crisis management and institutional resilience. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with Leiden University Centre for International Relations and the Quantification, Administrative Capacity, and Democracy (QUAD) research group.
Dr. Stefanie Beyens serves as an Assistant Professor in Public Governance and Management at Utrecht University's Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance. She also holds a position as a Postdoctoral Researcher within the same department, demonstrating her dual commitment to both teaching and research in the field of political science and public administration. Her research focuses primarily on political representation, party systems, and democratic processes. Dr. Beyens has established herself as a specialist in party polarization, ideological congruence, and the relationship between political parties and democratic satisfaction. Her work frequently examines Flemish and Dutch political contexts, with particular attention to liberal parties and their organizational structures. Analysis of her publication record reveals a consistent research trajectory centered on how political systems maintain democratic quality despite increasing polarization. Her recent work demonstrates growing interest in crisis governance dynamics and caretaker conventions in parliamentary systems, while maintaining her foundational focus on voter-party congruence and democratic representation. Dr. Beyens contributes to academic discourse as a peer reviewer for Politics of the Low Countries journal, demonstrating her engagement with regional political scholarship. Her research network shows collaboration across multiple European institutions, reflecting the transnational nature of her comparative political studies.
Dr. Thijs Broekhuizen is an Associate Professor at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Economics and Business, specializing in Innovation Management & Strategy. He currently serves as Scientific Director of the University of Groningen Business School, Coordinator of the Northern-Netherlands Innovation Monitor, and Programme Director of the Executive MBA. His research focuses on digital transformation, value creation in innovation, and digital business models, with interdisciplinary insights bridging strategy, innovation, and digitalization. Education: PhD in Marketing (University of Groningen, 2006) MSc in Marketing (University of Groningen, 2001) Research Interests: Broekhuizen explores value appropriation in technology-driven contexts, digital business models, and strategic responses to disruptive technologies. His work emphasizes SMEs' digital transformation challenges, organizational identity during technological change, and AI-driven innovation management. Key areas include digital platforms, motion picture industries, and social media dynamics. Grants & Projects: TALENT4S3 (€165K, Interreg 2024-2028) SIRM (€189K, Interreg 2023-2027) NWO-funded studies on construction industry profitability and online customer journeys Awards: Best Paper Award at ISoF 2021 Best Short Paper Award Nomination 2021 Teaching & Leadership: Broekhuizen teaches strategy and digitalization in executive programs and has led the MScBA and EMBA initiatives. His educational roles include Programme Director of the Executive MBA (Energy Transition, Health, Sustainable Business Models tracks) and member of the Groningen Digital Business Centre. Labs/Teams: He coordinates the Northern-Netherlands Innovation Monitor (surveying 10,000+ SMEs) and collaborates with the Groningen Digital Business Centre to advance digital strategy research.
C. (Chengyong) Xiao is an Associate Professor of Sustainable Supply Chain Management at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Economics and Business. He holds a BSc in Management Science from the University of Science and Technology of China (2010) and a PhD in Operations Management from the University of Groningen (2019). His research focuses on sustainable supply chains, particularly the extension of sustainability standards in global supply chains, corporate social responsibility, and social enterprises. Education: Bachelor's Degree: Management Science, University of Science and Technology of China (2010) PhD: Operations Management, University of Groningen (2019) Research Interests: Global supply chain sustainability Supplier sustainability capability development Corporate social responsibility and stakeholder engagement Case study and mixed-method research methodologies Awards: Chan Hahn Best Paper Award (2020 AOM Conference) Teaching and Editorial Roles: Teaches courses including Global Supply Chain Management & Sustainability, Management Science, and Operations & Logistics Management Editorial board member of the Journal of Supply Chain Management and Journal of Operations Management Collaborations: Partnerships with multinational companies like Philips and Signify to study supply chain sustainability practices
