Victor Bekkers reappointed Dean Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Stable course and multidisciplinary

The Executive Board is particulary pleased that Victor Bekkers will serve another term as Dean and looks forward to the continuation of their pleasant cooperation. "In the past two years, Professor Bekkers has also played an important, pioneering role in the cooperation between Erasmus University Rotterdam, Erasmus MC and TU Delft. Representing EUR, he has been one of the quartermasters of the Resilient Delta Initiative which is one of three convergence initiatives. His multi- and interdisciplinary view on science fits well with the ambitions of the EUR and ESSB," says Annelien Bredenoord, Rector Magnificus of EUR.

Strengthen resilience of ESSB and EUR

Victor Bekkers: "I thank colleagues and students of our faculty and the Executive Board for their trust. With pride I look at the great dedication of all colleagues, especially during the tough Covid-19  period, in the field of research and education and the contributions we have made to the search for solutions to major societal  issues. I look forward to the next four years of working together on my faculty’s tasks and challenges. Recent years have heralded radical changes in our society and at the same time the university system is permanently under pressure. I will play my part in contributing to strengthening the resilience of both ESSB and EUR. An Important element here is the curriculum review that we are currently implementing, the development of a more team-science oriented faculty and the question of how we can make more use of digitisation for the development of new forms of education and research."

About Victor Bekkers

Victor Bekkers graduated cum laude in Political Science and Public Administration at Radboud University Nijmegen, after which he obtained his Ph.D at Tilburg University. After having worked at Tilburg University for several years, he proceeded to hold various positions in Industry, which he combined for several years with the endowed professorship ICT Infrastructures in the Public and Private Sector at EUR. Since mid 2002, he has been Professor of Public Administration at ESSB where his particular focus is on the empirical study of public policy. He has been Dean of this faculty since 2018.

During his first term as Dean, Victor Bekkers, together with his faculty, developed the first ESSB strategy entitled 'Meeting the Future Society'. This ambitious strategy focused on stimulating multi- and interdisciplinary cooperation, increasing social impact, creating an attractive working and study environment, and strengthening diversity and inclusion among staff and students. As part of the strategy, a start was also made with the development and introduction of various education/research/impact and management profiles and corresponding career paths, making ESSB a forerunner in Recognition and Rewards.