The Board

Thomas van der Valk – Founder and Chair

The European Union deserves a more optimistic debate. I founded the Shaping Europe platform to offer a place for those who want to contribute to a better Europe with constructive ideas. As Chair I work to build-out and represent Shaping Europe. I graduated in political science and European law. I currently work at a big tech firm, previously I’ve worked in the European Parliament in Brussels.

• Interests: Rule of law, Green Deal, Euro, Digital
• Email: info@shapingeurope.eu
• X: @ThmsvdVlk

Daniel Niekel – Secretary and treasurer 

In today’s information-driven landscape, accessible and factual information on the European Union and its policies is incredibly important. I’ve joined Shaping Europe to support a platform committed to providing such information freely to all. As Secretary of the board, I work on internal organizational processes. Currently I’m based in Cotonou, Benin, where I contribute to development cooperation projects.

• Expertise: Foreign Policy, Financial and budgetary policy, trade and development cooperation
• Email: info@shapingeurope.eu
• LinkedIn: Daniel Niekel

Loes ter Horst – Chief Editor

With my passion for area studies as well as for writing, I have come to the perfect place at Shaping Europe not only to report more but also to learn more about Europe/EU, its challenges, complexities and affairs. In my role as a chief editor, I aim to encourage the publication of engaging articles about lesser-known European topics, and I love writing those articles also myself. After completing my master’s in Crisis and Security Management last year, I am now pursuing an MA in Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Amsterdam.

• Interests: SWANA Region, Crisis Management,  South East Asia,  Tourism, Scandinavia
• LinkedIn: Loes ter Horst

Anoek Zijderveld – European Elections Project Coordinator

Elections are fascinating to me, which is why I chose to lead the European parliamentary elections project for Shaping Europe. I currently work as a consultant in the public sector where I advise on complex change programmes. I have an MA in International Relations, specialising in Global Political Economy and a BSc in Political Science.

• Interests: EU-Africa Relations, Elections, Feminism in policy, Digitalisation
• LinkedIn: Anoek Zijderveld

The Editorial Team

Sabine Herder – Editor

The EU plays an important role in tackling many of the current complex issues. I want to contribute to Shaping Europe by writing about the lesser-known background of many of these issues and inform people about topics that do not often reach the news. After finishing my master’s degree in Crisis and Security Management at Leiden University last year, I am currently pursuing a MA in European Policy at the University of Amsterdam.

• Interests: External relations, Intelligence and Security, Political History, Climate Policy
• LinkedIn: Sabine Herder

Hanna Krijgsman van Spangenberg – Editor 

I like to analyse (the political history of) European integration and reflect on current EU affairs. As a member of Shaping Europe’s Editorial Team, I hope to be able to contribute to making the EU comprehensible to a larger audience. I hold a Master of Science in Political Science from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, with a specialisation in Democracy, Power, and Inequality, and previously, I obtained a Bachelor of Arts in European Studies from the University of Amsterdam, with a major in European History. 

• Interests: Political history, European culture, international relations, democracy, diplomacy
• LinkedIn: Hanna Krijgsman van Spangenberg

Luna Verbaas – Editor 

I approach my interest in Europe and its social and political processes through the lense of gender and postcolonial studies. With my interdisciplinary background I hope to broach topics like equality and power dynamics of minority groups, involving a European perspective on solutions to the challenges related to this.

• Interests:  international relations, Middle East, conflict studies, gender studies, political
• LinkedIn: Luna Verbaas

Julia van de Boel – Editor 

I am currently studying Notarial Law at the University of Utrecht. In order to obtain a more interdisciplinary perspective I am also pursuing a bachelor’s degree Liberal Arts and Sciences, with a major in International relations from a historical perspective. I enjoy using these different perspectives and approaches when looking at social issues, something I hope to share when writing for Shaping Europe.

• Interests:  international & private law; social & economic history; international relations
• LinkedIn: Julia van de Boel

Ngan Ha Tran – Editor 

I have graduated from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam with a bachelor’s degree of English in International Relations. Currently, I am pursuing a master’s degree in World Politics and International Relations at the University of Pavia, Italy. Migrations and human rights in the EU have always been my major interest. Joining Shaping Europe presents an opportunity for me to contribute to a platform where individuals can discover engaging articles addressing the contentious socio-political issues within the EU. Moreover, I aim to foster an environment where people can share their perspectives, thus contributing to the common dialogue that shapes the future of the EU.

• Interests: migration, human rights, EU foreign policy, domestic European politics, diplomacy.
• LinkedIn: Ngan Ha Tran

Bram Breimer – Editor 

I am interested in deciphering the power dynamics that shape our global landscape, with a special emphasis on the European Union’s past, present, and future role in the international system. As an editor at Shaping Europe, my aim is to make European politics accessible. I have studied Journalism for two years, and hold a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. At this moment, I am pursuing a Master in European Politics and External Relations at the University of Amsterdam.

• Interests: International Security, Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), European Neighborhood Policy (ENP), European Integration, Political Leadership
• LinkedIn: Bram Breimer

Viktoria Hodson – Editor

What particularly interests me about the European Union is how it functions as a global player on the international stage and how the internal dynamics of its member states impact its direction. My main goal at Shaping Europe is to help make EU politics accessible and easy to understand for more people. Originally from the US, I have completed a bachelor’s degree in Languages and International Relations from the University of Greenwich and am currently studying a Master’s in European Union Studies at Leiden University.

• Interests: EU foreign policy, domestic European politics, Euroscepticism 
• LinkedIn: Viktoria Hodson

Yannick Schimmel – Editor and Event Coordinator

The European Union has always fascinated me, and the big and diverse challenges Europe currently faces only increase the importance of active and informed discussions about its role, shape and future. This is why I strongly believe in the importance of making the EU more `visible’. By creating content and organizing events, I aim to make my contribution to this goal. I have a master’s degree in European Integration and Global Studies from CIFE, and am currently following a MSC in Cybersecurity Governance.

• Interests: European external action, diplomacy, technology-security nexus, geopolitical analyses
• LinkedIn: Yannick Schimmel

Dalia Michaud – Editor 

I am an international student doing a Master’s in International Relations in Historical Perspective at Utrecht University. Having grown up in the Middle East and France, I developed a curiosity towards government, diplomacy and conflict. In a shifting global order, I seek to understand the European Union’s evolution and its place in the international arena. I want to contribute to Shaping Europe’s mission to create a better understanding of this organisation in an accessible, unbiased and transparent way.

• Interests: democratisation processes, foreign policy, postcolonial relations, feminist theory
• LinkedIn: Dalia Michaud

Iva Dzhunova – Editor 

Coming from Bulgaria, one of the youngest member states, the meaning and implications of being in the EU have been a formative interest of mine. My mission as an editor at Shaping Europe is to bring current EU developments and issues to the people in a straightforward manner with the hope of sparking interest and stimulating engagement with EU dynamics. I hold a BA degree in International Relations and I am currently pursuing an MA degree in European Policy at the University of Amsterdam.

• Interests: EU enlargement and integration, democratic backsliding, migration, digitalisation
• LinkedIn: Iva Dzhunova

Esmee Slutter – Freelance Editor and Webmaster

The European Union is often seen as a complex political institution. My contribution to Shaping Europe mostly focuses on making this complex system understandable by showing the influences its different policies have on the daily lives of Europeans. I hold a Master of Arts in European Studies from the University of Amsterdam, with a specialisation in East European Studies and have previously obtained bachelor’s degrees both in Russian Studies and History, the latter with a focus on European cultural history.

• Interests: Animal welfare, European culture, history and society, Sustainability 

Marnix Vermeer – Freelance Editor 

I believe that for the EU to tackle the challenges of the 21st century, it needs to become more democratic and resilient. I’ve joined Shaping Europe to contribute my expertise in geopolitical dynamics and economic issues to a platform that aims to bring constructive ideas to the forefront. Currently a Senior Policy Advisor at a government body, my academic background in international relations and research into foreign political influence in the EU inform my perspectives on global economic risks and geopolitical shifts.

• Interests: Geopolitical Analysis, Macro economics and Economic Risk Assessment

George Bandy – Freelance Editor 

Democracy, digital, and all things citizens! I work for a non-profit that focuses on strengthening European democracy through advocacy, campaigning, and developing tools for better societies. LL.M in European and International Law from the University of Amsterdam and an European Studies alumnus.

 

• Interests: Digital Policy and Regulation, Competition, Civil Society, and Citizen Participation
• LinkedIn: George Bandy