Team
The Agricola Office consists of a team of six employees and student assistants. In addition, each theme has a theme director who manages the core team of scientists involved in the theme. We have established a Scientific Council with members from different faculties who function as an advisory board in further developing Agricola within the UG. Curious who we are? Meet the team below!
Scientific Director
Dr. Frans J. Sijtsma is a well-respected leader in the field of economics and sustainability, with a PhD in evaluation and sustainability. His extensive experience at the University of Groningen and prior work at the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency make him an ideal candidate to lead the Rudolf Agricola School for Sustainable Development. Sijtsma's research focuses on the value of nature and landscape in economic development and spatial planning, and he is also a seasoned educator in the fields of evaluation, economic geography, and nature valuation. With a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to sustainability, Dr. Sijtsma is a valuable asset to the school and the wider community. He is dedicated to advancing the field through cutting-edge research, innovative teaching methods, and effective engagement with stakeholders.
E-mail: f.j.sijtsma rug.nl
Scientific Coordinator
Irene has a background in health, social, and environmental psychology, and has a strong interest in sustainability issues. She has experience with combining research and education with practical projects.
E - Mail: i.maltagliati rug.nl
Management assistant/Eventmanager
Astrid Bakker is known for her excellent organization and administrative skills. She has a hands-on mentality and is always willing to go the extra mile to ensure our Fellows and team members are supported and able to achieve their goals.
E-mail: a.l.h.bakker rug.nl
Lead Strategic Partnerships and Research Development
Wanli is responsible for setting up long-term alliances and establishing an international PhD community on sustainable development with external partners.
Zheng has a background in agriculture, energy and environment sciences. With his experience and expertise bridging research strengths with externals, he also works with academic leads to organize consortia and establish new research themes.
E-mail: w.zheng rug.nl
Transdisciplinairy Installations
Douwe-Jan Schrale connects, whether it's art, science, history, sustainability, nature, technology, or practice. He draws the lines and tells new stories with unique experiences. You can now take a biodiversity audio walk created by him on the Zernike campus, which takes you through time.
For the Rudolf Agricola School, he will build participative installations and experiences that involve the public in the creative and investigative process of the sustainability revolution. So we can move forward together!
E-mail: d.j.schrale rug.nl
Communications Officer
As Communications Officer at the Rudolf Agricola School, Anna manages all RAS communication channels and shapes the School’s narrative, helping to share its interdisciplinary vision with diverse audiences.
With a background in communication science, linguistics, and digital media studies, she combines creativity with analytical insight to connect research with society and highlight the real-world impact of academic work. Her interests lie in sustainability, critical media literacy, and the role of communication in driving social change.
E-mail: a.m.jegorenkova@rug.nl
Student Assistant
Lola Tucker is currently finishing her Master’s in Society, Sustainability and Planning, during which she doing research on regional justice and Brede Welvaart while interning at CMO STAMM. Alongside her studies, she has been a student assistant at the Rudolf Agricola School for over two years. Her areas of expertise include communications, event planning, and summer school support. Additionally, she is involved in PhD grants and the PhD community.
E-mail: l.i.tucker rug.nl
Student Assistant
Samira Feissali is a research masters student in Modern History and International Relations. Currently, she is investigating memory in post-WWII German publics, whilst aiming to integrate post-humanist and (cognitive) archaeological relational theories. In her free time she seeks out the companionship of old trees and all kinds of animals, but especially corvids.
E-mail: s.n.feissali rug.nl
Student Assistant
Currently, finishing the Research Master in Economics at FEB and dreaming to continue as PhD. Very fond of studying regional inequalities at a sub-national level, their consequences, and the effectiveness of public policies and private efforts that reduce them. Joined RAS in the role of student assistant for research, education and societal impact. Looking forward to helping through research and educational events, organising citizen science projects and brining to the table more data-driven tools to helps the school's functioning.
E-mail: a.domenech.romero rug.nl
Jan Temme
Visiting Junior Researcher
Jan studied musicology (M.A.) and theology (Mag. theol.) in Freiburg, Vienna, and Oslo. Aside from this, he has a strong interest in languages and interdisciplinary work regarding sociological and political phenomena. In his current project at the Rudolf Agricola School he‘s researching Agricola’s understanding of knowledge and how his approach towards thinking can be used as an inspiration for, while at the same time be challenged by, sustainability communication of today. This project aims to confront academic research and a more and more emotionalised public.
Theme Directors
Director of the research theme of Democracy & Governance
Dr. Tortola is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Arts.
E-mail: p.d.tortola rug.nl
Director of the research theme Risk, Crises and Resilience
Giardini is Associate Professor of Sociology and the coordinator of the Sociology Master's route: Sociologie van de netwerk samenleving. Her research interests include: collective risk perception; agent-based models for disaster risk reduction; interorganizational networks for disaster prevention and recovery.
E-mail: f.giardini rug.nl
Director of the research theme Development & Security
Francesco Giumelli is an expert in International Relations and International Organization. As an Associate Professor, his research focuses on the interplay between international institutions, states and non-state actors in the context of illicit trade. Due to his experience in the field he is highly regarded for his analysis and expert opinions. Giumelli's work sheds light on the complex issues surrounding illicit trade and provides insights for policy-makers and practitioners.
E-mail: f.giumelli rug.nl
Director of the research theme Sustainable Landscapes & Regions
Michiel’s work has informed and co-created analytical processes in international policy organizations and real estate multinationals as well as in various other layers of society, government, and business.
E-mail: m.n.daams rug.nl
