I am Professor (adjunct) of Social and Cultural Psychology at the University of Groningen. My research centers on the social psychology of cultural change. I study social and cultural transformations resulting from development aid in the Global South as well as processes related to the integration of migrants. In this work, I collaborate with scholars from different disciplines and with societal partners around the world.
My research follows two main lines. First, I investigate social and cultural change resulting from development aid in the Global South. I focus in particular on the often unintended consequences of aid projects that introduce modern innovations such as microfinance services, new technologies, and educational initiatives. A key question in my work is how such interventions can genuinely empower people.
Second, I examine how migration contributes to cultural change. In this context, I study the impact of cultural differences on the labor market integration of migrants. Together with other SCOOP members, I received a grant from the National Science Agenda (NWA) to develop the first training program for Dutch employers aimed at improving practices in the labor market integration of migrants.
I regularly work in transdisciplinary teams and am consulted by governments and organizations worldwide as an expert on social impact evaluations of interventions, drawing on extensive field experience in African, Asian, European, and Latin American countries.
