prof. dr. B.W. (Robert) Lensink

I am a Professor of Finance and Financial Markets at the University of Groningen (UoG), and the Vice-Dean of Research. My research bridges the fields of finance, development economics, and poverty reduction, with a focus on microfinance, financial inclusion, and the empowerment of marginalized communities. My research is distinguished by  academic depth and real-world application, often using field experiments and randomized controlled trials to evaluate the impact of financial interventions in low- and middle-income countries. My studies, range from microcredit and agricultural insurance to women’s empowerment and behavioral economics, consistently translate academic insights into policy solutions, shaping development practices worldwide.

I have authored over 135 peer-reviewed articles and five books, with work cited more than 21,800 times (h-index: 70). I have led multidisciplinary research projects funded by major institutions such as the Dutch Research Council (NWO), the European Union, and the UK’s ESRC/DFID, securing millions in grants. I have supervised 41 PhD students, many of whom now hold influential roles in academia and policy. I am an affiliate of J-PAL, a fellow of the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), a full member of the European Development Research Network (EUDN), co-Lead of the ARUA/GUILD Cluster of Research Excellence on Inequality, Poverty and Deprivation (Core-IPD), member of the steering committee of  NWA Route 23: SDGs for inclusive global development and a extraordinary professor at Stellenbosch University.