Annelien Bredenoord is appointed as President of Erasmus University Rotterdam’s Executive Board, commencing 1 September 2024. She is responsible for general governance issues, the university’s strategic policy and international affairs. In addition, created and maintained contact with external parties including government departments and agencies, the business community and other knowledge institutions. The appointment is for a period of four years.
She succeeds Professor Ed Brinksma, who is stepping down as president after four years due to reaching his retirement age. From 1 October 2021 to 31 August 2024, Prof Annelien Bredenoord was Rector Magnificus of Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Annelien Bredenoord is a professor, supervisory authority and director and works at the interface of healthcare, technology and innovation, ethics and politics.
"I very much believe in the social role that a university has. We need science to find answers to the complex questions of our time."
Great honour
"I consider it a great honor to be appointed as President of our wonderful university located in the dynamic city of Rotterdam. A university with a strong profile and an ambition that matters - creating genuine positive social impact based on scientific strength. Both the DNA of the EUR and its location in the urban region that is Rotterdam provide an excellent starting point to further build on this together with our regional, national and international partners. I have done so with full determination in recent years as Rector, and will continue to do so as President", says Bredenoord.
In the media
"I want to ensure as much academic freedom as possible, so I shouldn’t make political statements"
In this interview with EM, Bredenoord discusses the role of universities in international conflicts.
New Rector Magnificus Erasmus University: "I hate the terms higher and lower educated"
Photos
Background
Bredenoord studied theology and political science at Leiden University and obtained her doctorate in medical ethics at Maastricht University in 2010. From 2014 to 2019, Bredenoord was a member of the Young Academy of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and in 2022 she was appointed as a member of the KNAW. In 2017 she was appointed professor of Ethics of Biomedical Innovation at UMC Utrecht.
Prof. Bredenoord has held many administrative/advisory positions during her academic career, including for the ZonMw board and with the Supervisory Board of Amsterdam UMC, and has gained a great deal of social and managerial experience. From 2015 to 2023, Bredenoord was a member of the Senate for Dutch political party D66 and a parliamentary group chair since 2019.
From 2021 to 2024, Bredenoord was Rector Magnificus of Erasmus University Rotterdam, since September 2024 she has been President of the Executive Board.
Podcasts
Annelien Bredenoord gives an insight into her bookcase
In Bookmarks & Dog Ears, Bredenoord talks to Het Rotterdamsch Leeskabinet about the love of reading.
Conversations with women leaders in academia
In the podcast Breaking the Glass Ceiling, Bredenoord talks about how she paved her way to the top.
