“After obtaining my PhD, and a short stay at the Dutch Central Planning Bureau, I came to the Economics and Business department of the UvA in 2004. The department was (and is) attractive for me, because it has a supportive research environment with many international students and it also houses the largest Economics lab in the Netherlands. When it comes to my research interests, I am currently looking into auctions, cartels and behavioural economics. At the PPLE, I currently teach the core courses Economics for a Better World I and Economics, Markets and Organisations II.

I believe that PPLE effectively bridges gaps between disciplines and equips students with a broad range of methods to answer big societal questions. Interacting with PPLE students is a great joy for me. They bring a broad perspective into the lecture hall, which gives rise to fruitful discussions about how insights from Economics and Business can be applied to tackle societal challenges. I hope that the lectures and tutorials will provide my students with the tools to develop their own informed opinion about topical policy interventions.

Please, do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you have questions about the Economics and Business major. Frequently asked questions include:

• In my exchange with a university abroad, which courses are eligible as a substitute for mandatory PPLE courses?
• What Master’s programmes would fit my interests and skills best?
• Are you willing to write a recommendation letter on my behalf?
• What do you do in your down time?

To address the last question: In my down time I love watching movies, looking for scenes that highlight fundamental economic concepts and principles. My favourite examples are from Dr. Strangelove, The Informant! and A Beautiful Mind. Although Hollywood sometimes seems to miss the point, I love to show scenes from such movies in my lectures.”