Prof. Maria Tims is a Full Professor at the Department of Management and Organization, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, holding a Chair in the Future of Work. She previously served as an Assistant Professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam, where she earned her cum laude PhD in Work and Organizational Psychology (2013). Her research focuses on employee proactivity (e.g., job crafting in teams) and workforce analytics, particularly unobtrusive measurement of well-being. She leads a team with over 30+ peer-reviewed articles in top journals and holds an NWO VENI Grant for studying individual job crafting in teams. Her work emphasizes proactive behaviors' impact on team and organizational outcomes, with grants and awards recognizing her contributions. She has supervised five PhD theses and is an editorial board member for journals like the Journal of Vocational Behavior . Key areas include self-organizing teams, work design, and cross-cultural validity of job crafting scales.
Evangelia Demerouti is a Full Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Johannesburg. Her research focuses on work characteristics, job crafting, occupational wellbeing, and work-life balance. She holds a PhD in Work and Organizational Psychology from Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg. Prior roles include assistant/associate professorships at Utrecht University and postdoctoral positions at Erasmus University Rotterdam and Radboud University Nijmegen. She has published over 200 papers and serves as associate editor for Journal of Occupational Health Psychology and European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology . Key projects include LLEAD (logistics innovation), SHAREHOUSE (robotics impact), and supplier sustainability initiatives. Her work aligns with UN SDGs for sustainable development and health. Research interests span burnout prevention, job demands-resources theory, proactive behavior in diverse workplaces, and interventions for employee well-being. Recent studies address hybrid work dynamics, burnout in healthcare, and the impact of automation on employee experience. Notable achievements include the 2017 IAMC Article-of-the-Year Award and 2016 Best Paper Award. She has advised 79 students and contributed to 5 active/recent projects. Her labs focus on human performance management and EAISI Health initiatives.
Behnam Taebi is Full Professor of Energy & Climate Ethics and Scientific Director of the Safety & Security Institute at Delft University of Technology. He leads TU Delft | The Hague, a university-wide initiative connecting engineering knowledge with public policy. His work bridges technology, ethics, and policy through roles at Harvard University’s Belfer Center (2014–2020) and The Young Academy of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (2016–2021). As co-Editor-in-Chief of Science and Engineering Ethics , he contributes to shaping ethical discourse in engineering. BSc in Material Science and Engineering (2006) PhD in Philosophy of Technology (2010) Taebi's research focuses on the ethical dimensions of energy systems, nuclear technology, and climate engineering. He explores intergenerational justice, distributive equity, and responsible innovation frameworks. His work integrates value-sensitive design and moral emotions to address uncertainties in technological risk governance, particularly for nuclear energy and carbon capture. Recent publications highlight ethics in nuclear waste repositories, climate policy metaphors, and synthesizing justice frameworks. His VENI-grant from NWO supports innovative research on technological risks. Collaborations span the OECD Expert Panel on transdisciplinary research and co-editorship of influential volumes like The Ethics of Nuclear Energy (Cambridge, 2015) and Ethics and Engineering: An Introduction (Cambridge, 2021). As Scientific Director of the Safety & Security Institute , he leads interdisciplinary efforts to address societal challenges through engineering ethics. His initiatives emphasize inclusive energy transitions, equitable climate strategies, and bridging technical and social sciences in policy-making.
Dr. Ronald van Steden is Associate Professor in Public Administration and Political Science at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Senior Researcher at the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR). His work bridges academic research and practical governance in the field of security, with a strong focus on policing, public order, and citizen participation. His research interests include community policing, restorative justice, private and plural policing, municipal law enforcement, citizen-centric safety initiatives, and the moral and philosophical dimensions of security governance. He employs qualitative social science methods and action research to explore the normative and operational challenges in contemporary policing. The trends in his recent publications reflect a deep engagement with collaborative governance, boundary-spanning in local security, evidence-based policing, and the ethical implications of restorative and preventive practices. His work increasingly addresses digital citizen initiatives, such as WhatsApp-based neighborhood surveillance, and the existential underpinnings of public administration. Van Steden serves as Editor of Tijdschrift voor de Politie (Police Magazine) and is a board member of the Christian Social Congress, contributing to both scholarly and public discourse on policing and morality. He teaches in the master’s program Governance of Security at VU, where he leads the course Samenwerking in Veiligheid (Cooperation in Security), and supervises master’s theses. He has also supervised two PhD theses. His research is supported by projects such as Online Blauw , which investigates digital crime handling at police basic teams. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to peace, justice, and strong institutions, particularly through enhancing accountability, inclusivity, and ethical governance in law enforcement.
Prof. Daantje Derks is a Full Professor at the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, specializing in Work and Organisational Psychology. His research focuses on workplace behavior, technology’s impact on work-life balance, agile team effectiveness, and job crafting. He has contributed extensively to understanding how organizational practices influence employee well-being and performance. Key research areas include: Agile teams and resource mobilization Technology-assisted work and its psychological effects Work-life boundary management Counterproductive work behaviors Recent work highlights include advancing theories on team resilience, analyzing smartphone use’s role in workplace stress, and evaluating policy guidelines for remote work. His studies often employ diary methods and meta-analyses to explore daily dynamics and long-term trends. Derks has supervised 5 academic works and collaborates internationally on organizational psychology topics. His research bridges theoretical frameworks (e.g., JD-R model) with practical applications for workplace design and policy-making.
Dr. Freek van Ede is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, specializing in Cognitive Psychology. He leads the Proactive Brain Lab, focusing on how the brain prepares for upcoming behavior through attention and working memory. His research employs EEG, eye-tracking, and virtual reality to study dynamic cognitive processes. Education: PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience (Cum Laude), Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen (2014) MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience (Cum Laude), Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen (2009) BSc in Psychology, University of Utrecht (2007) Research Interests: His work investigates how attention and working memory interact with anticipation, timing, and action. Key methodologies include EEG, eye-tracking, and virtual reality. Recent projects explore stimulus-driven selective attention and how visual working memories are prepared for action. Grants & Awards: NWO Vidi Grant (2023–2028, €800,000) ERC Starting Grant (2020–2025, €1.5 million) Young Investigator Award, CNS (2023) Early Career Awards from BACN and NVP (2023, 2022) Lab & Teams: He directs the Proactive Brain Lab, emphasizing innovative experimental designs and interdisciplinary approaches. The lab welcomes motivated students at all levels.
Prof. Finn Wynstra is a Professor of Purchasing and Supply Management at Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), Erasmus University Rotterdam, and a Fellow of ERIM. He holds an Endowed Chair sponsored by NEVI (2004–2019). His research focuses on purchasing strategy, supply innovation, and buyer-supplier dynamics in business services. He has authored/co-authored influential textbooks like Buying Business Services and Developing Sourcing Capabilities . Education: PhD in Industrial Engineering and Management Science (Eindhoven University of Technology), Licentiate (Uppsala University). Administrative roles include Director of Doctoral Education at ERIM and Chair of Erasmus University’s Scientific Integrity Taskforce. Research interests include performance-based contracting, supply chain alignment, and triadic buyer-supplier-customer relationships. His work appears in top journals like Journal of Operations Management and Journal of Supply Chain Management . Awards include the Hans Ovelgönne Award (2013) for contributions to purchasing research and the ERIM Book Award (2006). He has supervised over 10 PhD students and serves on editorial boards for key journals. Visiting appointments include Kellogg School of Management (US), Chalmers University (Sweden), and University of Bath (UK).
Burkhard Wörtler is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Economics and Business, within the HRM & OB — Management department. His research focuses on organizational behavior, work motivation, and blended working arrangements. He holds a PhD from the University of Groningen (2021). Research Interests: Wörtler investigates autonomy, self-determination theory, and employee proactivity, particularly in the context of blended working models. His work explores how leadership styles and individual differences influence workplace dynamics and organizational outcomes. Publications: His recent studies examine the effectiveness of blended working, leadership impacts, and employee perceptions. Key themes include organizational citizenship behavior, vitality, and the interplay between job demands and autonomy. Professional Activities: He has served as a peer reviewer for journals including *Current Psychology*, *Motivation and Emotion*, and *European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology*.
Dr. Josanne van Dongen is an Associate Professor of Forensic Psychology at the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, where she leads the forensic education in the Forensic and Legal Psychology master’s program. She is the director of the SAFER Lab, conducting research on empathy, psychopathy, and violence risk using electrophysiological and brain stimulation techniques. Erasmus University Rotterdam Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences Department of Clinical Psychology SAFER Lab (Director) Her research focuses on understanding the neurocognitive underpinnings of antisocial and dark personality traits, particularly psychopathy and the Dark Tetrad, and their relationship with empathy, impulsivity, and paraphilic behaviors. She investigates how brain modulation techniques like transcranial direct current stimulation can inform intervention strategies to reduce aggression and violence risk. Her work bridges clinical, forensic, and neuroscience domains. Recent publications explore deception in psychopathy, neural correlates of impulsivity in dark personalities, paraphilic behaviors, and early predictors of externalizing behavior in youth. Her research is highly interdisciplinary, combining behavioral, electrophysiological, and cross-cultural methods. Notable recognition includes the Early Career Award from the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services (2017). She has served on the association’s Board of Directors and chairs the International Scientific Council of the Expertise Centre of Forensic Psychiatry in the Netherlands. Early Career Award, International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services (2017) Dr. van Dongen has received multiple research grants and contributes extensively through editorial work, including peer-review for the International Journal of Forensic Mental Health. She has chaired international symposia and presented at professional and academic conferences on threat assessment and psychopathy. She supervises research, including doctoral theses, and is involved in developing forensic psychological interventions. She leads the SAFER Lab, a multidisciplinary research group focused on Social Affective and Forensic Electrophysiological Research, aimed at promoting a safer society through scientific innovation in forensic mental health.
Prof. Pascale Peters is a Professor of Strategic Human Resource Management at Nyenrode Business University. She is affiliated with the Faculty Research Center for Strategy, Organization & Leadership, focusing on sustainable HRM practices in dynamic organizational environments. Her research emphasizes sustainable employability, work-life balance, and gender equality. Peters actively contributes to education, advising professionals on proactive HRM strategies aligned with societal performance goals. Her research interests include analyzing the evolving employment relationship through lenses of flexibility, lifelong learning, and workplace design. She critiques traditional 'ideal worker' norms and explores how telework and technology impact work-family dynamics across cultures. Peters collaborates with Futurum Work on lectures, consulting, and research. Her publications span journals like Frontiers in Psychology , Business Horizons , and Human Relations , addressing topics ranging from age-based stereotyping to freelance career satisfaction. Outside academia, she enjoys swimming, singing, and traveling.
Prof. Arnold Bakker is a Full Professor of Work and Organizational Psychology at Erasmus University Rotterdam, leading the Work and Organizational Psychology research group. He also serves as Secretary General of the Alliance for Organizational Psychology and holds adjunct professorships at Lingnan University (Hong Kong). His research focuses on positive organizational behaviors such as work engagement, flow, and job crafting, emphasizing the JD-R (Job Demands-Resources) theory co-developed with Evangelia Demerouti. Key contributions include internet applications like the Job Demands-Resources Monitor and the Happiness Indicator. Bakker’s work bridges theory and practice, addressing employee well-being and organizational health. He has authored over 500 publications in top-tier journals and serves on editorial boards such as Journal of Organizational Behavior . Research Interests : Positive organizational phenomena, burnout prevention, work-life balance, and interventions for sustainable employability. His work integrates motivational processes with recovery mechanisms to enhance workplace vitality. Recent Trends in Articles : Focus on playful work design, AI’s impact on job design, and global validation of scales like the International Work Addiction Scale. His recent work explores neuroscientific underpinnings of engagement and recovery, such as video gaming’s role in post-work recovery. Awards : APS Fellow (2013), Thomson Reuters’ Most Influential Scientific Minds (2013–present). Labs/Teams : Coordinates international collaborations via the JD-R research network, developing evidence-based interventions for organizations. His lab emphasizes empirical validation of scales and cross-cultural applicability.
Pursey Heugens is a Professor of Organization Theory, Development, and Change at the Department of Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship, Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), Erasmus University Rotterdam. He holds a PhD from RSM (2001) and has been affiliated with the institution since 1997. His research focuses on comparative corporate governance, business ethics, bureaucracy, and institutional theories. He serves on the editorial boards of six journals and has received numerous awards for research and teaching. Key areas of investigation include organizational effectiveness theory, state-owned enterprises, and the dynamics of institutional logics. His research explores themes like corporate governance in China, cross-sector collaborations, and the interplay between political institutions and firm strategy. Publications span top-tier journals such as the Academy of Management Journal , Organization Studies , and Journal of Management Studies . Recent work critiques the fragmented state of organization theory and proposes strategies to enhance theoretical integration. He advises over 20 PhD candidates, focusing on topics ranging from professional service firm governance to corporate environmentalism in China. He teaches courses in Organization Theory and Qualitative Methods. His work often bridges institutional theory with strategic management, exploring how organizational structures and external contexts shape firm behavior.
Corine Boon is a Full Professor at the University of Amsterdam's Amsterdam Business School, specializing in Human Resource Management (HRM), Organizational Behavior, and Management. Her research focuses on person-environment fit, strategic HRM alignment, leadership dynamics, and the interplay between HR practices and employee outcomes. Education: PhD in Management (Erasmus University Rotterdam, 2007) Boon's scholarly work examines HR systems, organizational engagement, ethical leadership, and innovation through HRM lenses. She has contributed to evolving HRM research agendas, including ecosystem-based approaches and temporal dimensions of fit theories. Her publications over the past decade reveal trends in HRM research, such as the integration of human capital theories, cross-level HRM effects, and the role of contextual factors like career stage in moderating HRM impacts. She collaborates extensively with scholars like Jaap Paauwe and Deanne Den Hartog, bridging micro and macro organizational perspectives. Boon is affiliated with Jaap Paauwe's Lab and contributes to academic networks focused on HRM effectiveness and organizational performance. Her work appears in journals like Human Resource Management and The Leadership Quarterly.
Dr. Karen Pak is an Assistant Professor at Tilburg University's Department of Human Resource Studies within the Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Her research focuses on aging at work, sustainable careers, major life events, and human resource practices. She teaches courses such as 'Academic Skills PEW A/B' and 'Organizational Psychology for People Management.' Her expertise includes investigating how HR practices and job design influence workforce sustainability, particularly for aging employees and gig workers. Key areas of study involve career transitions, the impact of life events on workability, and technology's role in successful aging at work. Her recent publications explore topics like career shocks in gig economies, proactive behaviors in career sustainability, and the intersection of parenthood with academic identity. These studies highlight her commitment to understanding workplace dynamics that enable long-term employee engagement and adaptability. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned. Her work emphasizes practical interventions to improve workplace inclusivity and support systems, particularly for diverse cohorts including older workers and those facing career disruptions.
Dirk K.J. Heylen serves as Full Professor at the Digital Society Institute within the University of Twente, holding a dual appointment in the Human Media Interaction department. His academic profile demonstrates extensive engagement in artificial intelligence research with particular focus on human-centered applications. Research interests span Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Agent Systems, Natural Language Processing , and Knowledge Representation , with significant applications in healthcare, well-being, and social robotics. His work bridges technical AI development with societal context considerations, particularly examining human-AI interaction patterns in daily life scenarios. Recent publications reveal strong emphasis on conversational agents, virtual human interaction, and predictive health technologies. Notable scientific recognition includes the Best Student Paper award at the 22nd ACM International Conference on Multimodal Interaction (2018). His research activities demonstrate consistent output across conferences, journals, and datasets, with particular growth in healthcare applications since 2020. Professional activities include editorial work for major conferences (ICMI 2020), organization of specialized events (Narrative Matters 2018), and hosting academic visitors. His supervised work encompasses 22 research projects and multiple datasets supporting human-AI interaction studies.
