I am an Associate Professor of Political Science and Democracy at the School of Social Sciences at Hasselt University. Previously, I held positions at the University of Antwerp, University of Amsterdam and Tilburg University. During the academic year 2015-16, I was a visiting scholar at Stanford University.
I am interested in social and political change. Specifically, my work investigates how social movements succeed or fail in winning wanted outcomes; from mobilizing participants and developing stronger organizations, over gaining media attention and persuading the general public, to setting the parliamentary agenda and changing public policy. My current research project PROPEL (ERC CoG) investigates the impact of protest on public opinion.
I supervise Bachelor thesis circles and help first year Bachelor students take their first steps in the “Research seminar”. As public service, I regularly shed light on instances of protest mobilization by means of media appearances (e.g. De Wereld van Sofie, De Ochtend, Karrewiet, DeTijd, DeStandaard, DeMorgen, Knack), engage as a speaker at events of civil society organizations or collaborate with non-profits in research projects.
I am Associate Editor of Politics of the Low Countries and member of the editorial board of Mobilization. Previously, I co-chaired the NeFCA Political Communication division. I serve as a member of the G&M expert panel of the FWO.