Applied economist Niels Rietveld appointed as member of the Young Erasmus Academy

The aim of the Young Erasmus Academy is to promote interdisciplinary collaboration between young, excellent scientists. In addition, the Young Erasmus Academy advises the Executive Board on policy matters and the aim of the Young Erasmus Academy is to contribute to strengthening the university's profile in the public domain. Dean Patrick Groenen is convinced that Niels Rietveld will make an inspiring contribution to Young Erasmus Academy: ‘Niels is a highly talented scholar, who is keen to contribute enthusiastically and constructively to the Young Erasmus Academy and therefore the university community.’ 

Erasmian Values 

As a member of the Young Erasmus Academy, Niels Rietveld would like to reflect on the Erasmian values with university-wide colleagues: ‘The Erasmian values are central in the identity of our university, but they do not seem to play a prominent role in everyday academic life. Therefore, my first-year project idea is to kickstart conversations about Erasmian values. Do you know them? Which one is particularly important for you? Which one is more difficult for you to connect with? Are you perhaps missing one? What role do they play in your everyday work? My experiences from responsibilities outside Erasmus University Rotterdam is that having conversations about the core values of an organisation could help to tie people to an organisation and their work. That can be of great value, especially after the corona years in which many colleagues have started to feel less connected with their work and the organisation they are working for. As by-catch, these conversations can also help to build new connections in our community, including interdisciplinary ones.’ 

NWO Veni grant

In 2015 Niels Rietveld obtained a NWO Veni grant, followed up with the awarding of a prestigious ERC Starting Grant in 2019.