Since 2015, I have been a Distinguished Professor and social and organizational psychologist at the Faculty of Social Sciences at Utrecht University. I was elected a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), a corresponding member of the British Academy, and an international member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2010, I received the prestigious NWO-Spinoza Award, and I serve as chair of the board of the NWO Gravitation programme on sustainable cooperation (SCOOP).
During 2022–2023, I was a member of the research committee for Culture and Behavior within the Dutch Public Broadcasting (Van Rijn Commission OGCO). From 2015–2023, I served on the external supervisory board of PwC, the Netherlands, as an expert on culture and behaviour. Between 2020 and 2022, I chaired the KNAW Committee on the Roots and Prevention of Inappropriate Behaviour in Academia. I am one of the initiators of the Netherlands Inclusivity Monitor (NIM) and one of Athena’s Angels.
In 2023, I was elected Chief Scientific Advisor for the Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) of the European Union, and since 2024 I have also been a Crown-appointed member of the Social and Economic Council (SER). I regularly write an expert column for Het Financieele Dagblad (FD).
Focus: how people live and work together
My research examines how people live and work together in groups. I study how individuals’ behaviour is influenced by others around them, whether those others are physically present or not. I conduct experiments measuring brain activity and physical stress, and I also investigate behaviour in workplace settings, focusing on organisational behaviour.
I specialize in diversity and inclusion, as well as integrity and ethical behaviour. From this perspective, I study diversity and innovation in teams and organisations, the career development of women and ethnic minorities, motivation and commitment in work teams, and ethical standards and moral behaviour in professional groups.
I also apply my scientific expertise to practical issues, including organisational advice and professional development. This involves supervision of organisational culture and ethical climate, addressing implicit biases in recruitment and selection, and promoting corporate social responsibility. I am also active as a core researcher in the NWO Gravitation Programme Sustainable Cooperation (SCOOP).
