About Erasmus University Rotterdam

Afke Weltevrede, MA, has dedicated the past 20 years to her role at Risbo, Erasmus University Rotterdam, where she serves as both a researcher and a trainer, often incorporating her skills as a training actress. Her research has focused extensively on the social position and policies related to migrant groups, as well as the liveability of neighborhoods. Afke was an active member of the European NAOS network (Erasmus+), which emphasized diversity in education, and she contributed to projects ALCOR and AVIOR, which promoted multilingual teaching. She holds a degree in Sociology from Erasmus University Rotterdam and has also completed her training at theatre school. This unique combination of sociology and acting enriches the training sessions and courses she designs and conducts at Risbo. In addition to her work at Risbo, she is a part-time actress with the professional theatre group Onderwaterproducties.

Alice serves as the OSINT coordinator and researcher at the Centre of Excellence in Terrorism, Resilience, Intelligence, and Organised Crime Research (CENTRIC) Institute at Sheffield Hallam University. She earned her BA Honours in Sociology from Newcastle University, where she developed a keen interest in online trends and phenomena. Alice's published works explore various aspects of online behavior, including future understandings of open source intelligence, perspectives on social media crime reporting, and the dynamics of sexting as a form of reciprocity. Currently, she is actively involved in two H2020 Horizon projects, ‘PROPHETS’ and ‘MINDb4ACT’, which focus on creating safer societies by addressing issues of modern radicalisation and organised crime in the digital realm.

Dr. Amanda Williams is a senior researcher in the Group for Sustainability and Technology (SusTec) at the Department of Management, Technology, and Economics at ETH Zurich. She earned her PhD from the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, and is currently a fellow in the Governing Responsible Business Research Environment at Copenhagen Business School. Her research interests lie at the intersection of sustainability management and social-ecological systems, focusing on how organizations comprehend global sustainability challenges and devise corporate sustainability strategies that align with international targets. Dr. Williams employs a systems theory perspective and utilizes qualitative research methods in her work. She has collaborated with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) as an associate on the Redefining Value team, contributing to the SDG Compass, which serves as a guide for businesses aiming to take action towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr. Anne-Kathrin Klesse serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Marketing Management at the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University in the Netherlands. With a PhD from Maastricht University, her research focuses on consumer judgment and decision-making processes. She aims to understand how to effectively nudge consumers towards making "better" decisions, such as saving money, adopting healthier eating habits, and choosing sustainable consumption options. Her findings have been published in several leading academic journals, including the Journal of Consumer Research. In recognition of her innovative work, she was awarded the esteemed VENI grant in 2015 for her research on the impact of expression modalities on consumer choice and judgment.

Tony Thompson is a seasoned professional with 32 years of experience as a superintendent in the British Transport Police. Following his tenure there, he held significant roles, including Deputy Director at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, where he led multi-agency coordination for civil emergencies in South West England. He later served as the Head of UK Emergency Response for the British Red Cross, further establishing his expertise in public safety and emergency management.

Asa L. Aradottir is a Professor at the Agricultural University of Iceland, specializing in Restoration Ecology and related fields. From 1998 to 2006, she led the research division of the Icelandic Soil Conservation Service and served as a senior research scientist at the Iceland Forest Research Station from 1990 to 1998. Asa earned her Ph.D. in Range Science from Texas A&M University in 1991, an M.Sc. in Biology from Montana State University in 1984, and a B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Iceland in 1981. She is an active member of the UN University Land Restoration Training Programme, contributing as a core teacher and studies committee member. Her research focuses on the restoration of severely degraded land, woodland restoration, and the impact of restoration efforts on ecological succession and ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration. Asa has been involved in numerous national and international research projects and networks, currently serving on the Board of Directors for the European chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration.

Bartłomiej Bednarowicz is a PhD Researcher and Teaching Assistant at Erasmus University Rotterdam, where he focuses on the legal aspects of cross-border road transport within the context of EU law. His research delves into the complexities of harmonizing legislation across member states to facilitate efficient road transport and ensure compliance with EU regulations. In his teaching role, he offers courses that explore these themes in depth, including "Cross-border Road Transport in EU Law Context." Bednarowicz's work is crucial for understanding how legal frameworks impact transportation policies and practices in Europe, contributing to both academic discourse and practical applications in the field.

Berglind Orradottir serves as the Deputy Director of the United Nations University Land Restoration Training Programme (UNU-LRT), where she focuses on enhancing institutional capacity in developing countries to address land degradation and restore damaged landscapes. In addition to her role at UNU-LRT, she is an Assistant Professor at the Agricultural University of Iceland. Berglind completed her undergraduate studies in Biology at the University of Iceland before earning an MSc in Rangeland Ecology and Management from Texas A&M University. Her research centers on the impact of disturbances on abiotic ecosystem processes and the restoration of these processes on severely eroded land.

Bernadette Ssanyu is a Visiting Lecturer at Erasmus University Rotterdam, where she contributes her expertise in financing infrastructure projects in African cities. Her course, "Financing Infrastructure in African Cities," delves into the critical challenges and innovative solutions for funding urban development initiatives across the African continent. With a deep understanding of the complexities involved in securing investment for infrastructure projects, Ssanyu equips students with the knowledge and strategies needed to navigate this landscape effectively. Her lectures draw upon real-world case studies and best practices, providing a practical framework for addressing the significant funding gaps faced by many African cities. Through her teaching, Bernadette Ssanyu plays a vital role in preparing the next generation of urban planners, policymakers, and development professionals to tackle the infrastructure financing challenges that African cities face in the 21st century.

A criminologist with an MSc in Strategic Direction of Security and Police, currently pursuing a PhD focused on police studies. Additionally, working as a junior researcher in the Research Unit of the Institute for Public Security of Catalonia, contributing to the understanding and improvement of public security practices.

Drs. Berry Nijveld is an Applied Educational Specialist who graduated from the University of Twente, where he studied the characteristics of multimedia self-instruction materials. He began his career as an educational designer and unit manager at Bit-Ic (Cap Gemini) and later served as a management consultant in educational organization and personnel development at PWC. Since joining Risbo in 2003, Berry has concentrated on ICT in education, educational innovation, and quality management. He advises universities, faculties, and teaching departments on developing policies and implementing tools to enhance and ensure teaching quality and accreditation. Additionally, he provides training for teachers in didactic skills and offers individual coaching.

A.H.J. (Bert) Helmsing is an Emeritus Professor of Local and Regional Development at the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam. He earned his PhD (cum laude) in Economics from Tilburg University, focusing on the Processes of Regional, Urban, and Rural Change in Colombia. With nearly four decades of experience in development studies, he has provided education, capacity building, and policy advice on local and regional development in Latin America—particularly in Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru—and Sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, and South Africa. Bert has published over 30 articles in peer-reviewed journals, contributed 39 chapters to edited volumes, and published or edited ten books. His specialization includes regional economic analysis, fiscal decentralization, meso-level economic analysis of firms, chains, clusters, and the roles of NGOs and social entrepreneurship in local economic development. Currently, his research is centered on studying local institutional change.

Binyam is a development economist whose interdisciplinary research, largely inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), spans the intersections of Development, Environment, and Health. His work encompasses a wide range of development topics, including international trade, solar energy systems, public health, public governance, environmental emissions, foreign direct investment, economic sanctions, and rural infrastructure programs. Binyam employs both quantitative and qualitative research methods to address these complex issues. In addition to his research experience, he has extensive teaching experience, primarily in Economics, research methodology, and the critical assessment of scientific literature.

Birgul Arslan is an Assistant Professor in Innovation Strategy at Erasmus University Rotterdam, where she specializes in teaching courses on Innovation Management. Her research focuses on understanding how organizations can effectively manage innovation processes and adapt to rapidly changing business environments.

Prof. Cees van Dam is a distinguished scholar holding multiple academic positions: Professor of International Business and Human Rights at the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University; Professor of European Tort Law at Maastricht University; and Visiting Professor at King’s College London. His Erasmus chair, established by the Foundation for Peace Studies and sponsored by Amnesty International Nederland, reflects his deep commitment to human rights. Prof. van Dam's research focuses on the role of General Counsel in fostering corporate respect for human rights, how financial institutions can encourage human rights compliance, and the responsibilities of state-owned enterprises in promoting human rights. His work also explores the interplay between legal compliance, human rights, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Chloé Schwizgebel, a former MSc student in Global Business Sustainability at the Rotterdam School of Management, has been working as a Communication Assistant for NCA since September 2019. In this role, she provides technical support and manages communication for various NCA events. She has contributed to monitoring the method's progress in both research and practice. In her own research on sustainable communication, she applied Necessity Analysis (NCA) to examine how the absence of perceived greenwashing affects consumer behavior. Schwizgebel’s innovative use of necessity experiments, a relatively new approach in necessity studies, shows great potential for future research. Currently, she applies NCA in the environmental NGO sector, focusing on factors necessary for the successful imp

Christiaan Heij is an Assistant Professor at the Econometric Institute, specializing in statistics and econometrics. His research and teaching focus on econometrics and statistical methods in economics and business. Recently, his research has delved into various areas, including macroeconomic forecasting, the prediction and planning of surgical procedure times, maritime safety, and forecasting demand for spare parts.

Daan Stam is an Associate Professor of Innovation Management at the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM). His research and teaching focus on how leaders and managers can effectively communicate innovative visions, foster openness and creativity in their teams, and achieve excellence. In addition to his academic work, Daan serves as the Academic Director for RSM's International Full-time MBA program.

Dennis Fok is a Professor of Applied Econometrics at the Erasmus School of Economics. His research focuses on quantitative marketing and applied microeconometrics, particularly in modeling individual and aggregated choices. He is also interested in nonlinear panel data and simulation-based estimation methods, including both classical and Bayesian inference. His work has been published in renowned journals like the Journal of Econometrics, Journal of Applied Econometrics, Marketing Science, and Journal of Marketing Research.