About Marije

Hi there! I’m Marije, and I help students, researchers, and professionals navigate the complex world of research, academic writing, and publication. With a PhD in Responsible Innovation, and holding two cum laude MSc degrees — one in the natural sciences and one in the social sciences — I bring a unique interdisciplinary perspective. I work with people from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds who engage in social science research. As an added advantage, thanks to my own interdisciplinary training and experience, I am particularly familiar with the challenges faced by those making the transition from the natural sciences into social science approaches. For those, my goal is to make that process not only manageable, but also inspiring and intellectually rewarding.

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My experience

Before starting my freelance practice, I spent many years working in research and teaching. During that time I taught a variety of courses and supervised student research projects from diverse academic backgrounds. These experiences gave me a strong foundation in guiding others through the research process, both in content and in methodology.

At the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, I worked as a postdoctoral researcher on projects about communication of uncertain health and environmental risks (RIVM) and on virtue-based communication in sustainable energy transitions (Tertium). Alongside this, I supervised Master’s students during their internships and coordinated courses such as training in literature thesis writing.

My PhD in Responsible Innovation (2010–2015, VU Amsterdam) focused on the role of emerging neuroimaging research in justice and security contexts. I carried out action-oriented research aimed at making scientific practices more reflexive and socially responsible. I worked with a wide range of methods, including interviews, focus groups, dialogue, ethnography, media analysis, systematic and non-systematic literature reviews, and thought experiments. My research was funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO). During this time, I also taught at both Bachelor’s and Master’s level, including courses on ethics, policy analysis, health journalism, and policy ethics and media for forensic science.

I hold two MSc degrees, both awarded cum laude. The first is in Management, Policy Analysis and Entrepreneurship in Health and Life Sciences (VU Amsterdam), where I specialized in international public health. My research included fieldwork in Burundi and DR Congo on HIV/AIDS-related stigma, an internship at the Dutch Ministry of Health on drug policy, and a literature thesis on microcredit for people with disabilities in the Global South.

My second MSc is in Chemistry (Utrecht University and Eindhoven University of Technology), where I specialized in medicinal chemistry. This natural sciences background continues to shape my interdisciplinary approach today.

My approach to research

I see research as an unfolding process: iterative, reflective, and deeply human. It’s about weaving and unweaving ideas, discovering new connections through interaction and observation. Often, you begin without knowing all the players or the full scope of your concepts. In many ways, you discover yourself as a researcher along the way.

I believe intuition has a place in this process. In social research especially, the researcher is part of the research toolset. At the same time, structure is essential. Good research tells a coherent story: it starts with a real-world problem and a knowledge gap, flows through a well-framed research question, and is grounded in theory and methodological rigor. The process should lead you back to that original problem, asking: what did we learn, and what still needs to be done?

For me, the best research doesn’t just answer questions, it tells a story worth sharing.

My approach to thesis and dissertation guidance

Working on a thesis or dissertation is not just about meeting academic requirements. It’s a chance to sharpen your thinking, question assumptions, and develop your own voice as a researcher. I see supervision as a process of mutual exploration—where you are encouraged to think critically, work independently, and reflect deeply on your choices.

My role is to challenge you when needed, support you when you get stuck, and help you make sense of the bigger picture. I don’t follow fixed templates or offer step-by-step formulas. Instead, I adapt my guidance to your way of thinking and working, so that the process becomes not only manageable, but meaningful.

The goal isn’t just to complete your thesis. It’s to help you grow into a confident, reflective researcher—someone who understands how to build arguments, ask sharper questions, and contribute something that matters.

My approach to academic consulting

With a background in Responsible Research and Innovation, I see research as more than a way to gather information — it is a process of working thoughtfully, with attention to context, impact, and integrity. I believe research should be collaborative and grounded in the real world, not something abstract or overly academic.

I work with small businesses and freelancers who are expanding their work into research-driven areas requiring qualitative and mixed-methods approaches. My role is not to take over your research, but to strengthen your capacity to design and carry out meaningful inquiries yourself. My approach is grounded in dialogue — building on your existing expertise and helping you engage with research methods in a way that feels accessible, relevant, and rigorous. I support you in navigating methods with confidence and making sense of your data in ways that connect directly to your goals.

I believe in research that is both ethical and actionable, and I approach each project with care, curiosity, and a commitment to learning alongside you.

Academic publishing

I have published in a range of academic and professional journals, both in Dutch and English. My experience spans writing for peer-reviewed publications as well as more practice-oriented outlets. As a peer reviewer myself, I understand the standards and expectations of academic publishing from both sides. This helps me guide others in shaping their work into clear, compelling, and well-argued contributions—tailored to the right audience.