Since 2015 I am a senior researcher at the Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS) of Leiden University in the Netherlands. I am coordinating our Focal Area of Engagement & Inclusion and am leading the flagship project on science in societal contention. In addition to my scientific research, I am also a bibliometric consultant at the CWTS.
In 2008 I obtained my Master in sociology (cum laude) from the University of Amsterdam (2008). Coming from a computer science background, and taking up mathematics during my studies in sociology, I went on to obtain a PhD in applied mathematics in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium (2013). During my PhD I studied methods for detecting communities in complex networks, resulting in a Python software package. In addition, I applied this methodology in several fields across the (social) sciences, ranging from citation networks to international relations.
My main interests are mathematical models in the social sciences with a focus on (social) networks, including topics such as complex networks, social influence (as in opinion dynamics and the like), and conflict. In particular, I am interested in how science and society interact on contentious issues. There are research topics where hopefully math can meet the social sciences.