About me
Maastricht Graduate School of Governance & United Nations University (MERIT)
PhD Fellow (January 2009 – present):
Research Topic:
Virtual Communities of Learning
Supervisors:
Prof. Dr. Wim Gijselaers (1st Promoter) – ERD / SBE (Maastricht University)
Prof. Dr. Mien Segers (2nd Promoter) – ERD / SBE (Maastricht University)
Project Coordinator
“Support & Help for Academic Researchers by using IT (SHARE-IT)” (Blog “from researchers for researchers”) [January 2012 – present]
“Global Distance BA” (provided for the Maastricht School of Management) [May 2010 – present]
“International Community for Occupational Opportunities & Lifelong Learning” (creating a Community of Learning for UNU-MERIT/MGSoG) [October 2010 – January 2012]
“DuaVivo: SecondLife at the UM” (Using SecondLife to foster PBL in Master-Education) [July 2010 – February 2011]
“Russian Senior Public Sector Training Program” (provided for the Russian Ministry of Economic Development) [November 2009 – December 2010]
UNICEF Learning Programme “Evidence Based Policy Analysis to Deliver Results for Children” [August 2006 – December 2009]
Project Team Member:
“Learning while Working” (financed by Maastricht University): creating a Community of Learning for Lifelong Learners
“Studies on Transitional Electronic Programmes (S.T.E.P)” (financed by EACEA): creation of a ‘European Framework of Transitional Preparatory Courses (EFTPC)’
“Web-spijkeren 2” (financed by SURF): Online Remedial Teaching
“eMerge OP 3.7” (financed by eMerge): Competence-Based (online) Testing
Programme Coordinator:
Global Development Learning Network (World Bank)
Online Courses: Economics, Governance, Political Science, Mathematics & Statistics
Member of:
University’s e-Taskforce
Institute’s Examination Committee
E-Learning Expert & Content Support:
UNICEF Learning Programme “Public Policy, Advocacy and Partnerships for Children’s Rights”
Maastricht University
Project Team Member
“Web-spijkeren 1 & 2“ (September 2004 – September 2006)
Lecturer (August 2003 – August 2006): General (International) Economics
Research Interest
My research interest mainly lies in (virtual) Communities of Learning (CoL). In today’s post-industrial economy, organizations need to continuously enhance their ability to learn and acquire new knowledge. This has been identified as one of the pivotal aspects contributing to the success and performance of organizations. In this context, CoLs have gained increasing recognition and influence, with numerous organizations already implementing similar learning initiatives to enhance the capacity of their staff. However, very little is known on how to develop CoLs that effectively tap into and unlock individuals’ inherent stock of tacit knowledge. It has been suggested that if it were possible to engage staff members, with different backgrounds, into collaborative learning activities (“neo-apprenticeship style learning”), it would be possible to create a “hothouse” for new ideas and thoughts, enhancing not only the capacity of the individual employees, but contributing the knowledge creation of the entire organization. My research focuses on how such an environment can be created and how organizational structures affect the dynamics and outcomes thereof. By employing a multi-method approach, combining social network analysis with qualitative content analysis, my research can provide valuable insights on how international organizations can effectively setup CoLs that foster the knowledge diffusion between employees, as well as the general knowledge creation process of the entire organization. Additionally, by focusing on the impact of organizational structures, preferable group compositions can be identified that can further enhance the aforementioned processes.
To access my CV, simply click here.

