Below is an overview of my current and past projects.
Consultancy assignments are marked with *
Consultancy assignments are marked with *
Watchful Attendance: Midwife Support during Childbirth2021 - ongoing |
This research collaboration with Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Department of Midwifery Science, led by Prof. Ank de Jonge, investigates "watchful attendance". This term indicates the support midwives offer women during delivery. In healthcare, research often emphasizes the medical side of interventions, focusing on aspects that can be quantified and measured. This pilot project relies on ethnography to document difficult to measure dimensions of watchful attendance, which may include medical interventions as well as abstaining from them.
Engaged in ongoing fieldwork in The Netherlands. |
Active8-Planet2020 - ongoing |
Recent global movements indicate a rapidly growing awareness, frustration, and eagerness of the European youth to actively engage with securing a sustainable future for all. Active8 Planet addresses this challenge by introducing a holistic, interdisciplinary and cross-sector approach to sustainability in higher education curricula and learning approaches.
Act as servant leader for the Dutch 7+1 Team researching understandings of wellbeing in a mental healthcare facility; ensure alignment among international partners' learning programmes. Donor: EC, Erasmus+. |
Culture in Care: Safety in the Daily Work of Healthcare Professionals2020 - ongoing |
In collaboration with a Dutch University Medical Centre, this pilot research investigates "safety culture" in interdisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals. By capturing ethnographically the behaviours, values and attitudes of healthcare professionals in different roles, responsibilities and hierarchical layers of the organization, it unpacks how safety is experienced and practiced in everyday work.
Engaged in ongoing fieldwork in the Netherlands. |
Migrant Humanitarianism in Europe and Beyond2015 - ongoing |
This research investigates humanitarian responses to migrants and asylum seekers in and outside Europe. By studying the involvement of private citizens and civil society organizations, it looks at humanitarianism as extending bordering practices from states to society. It contributes to discussions about humanitarianism, ethics of care, governance and social movements.
Engaged in fieldwork in Italy and supervising PhD fieldwork in Italy, Greece, Jordan and Lebanon. Donor: seed funding, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. |
People-Centered Development Approaches in Practical and Learning Environments (PEOPLE)2016-2019 |
PEOPLE developed a novel pedagogical approach bringing together interdisciplinary groups of students, academic staff and industry professionals to solve real-life business challenges in the field of sustainable energy and living. In four countries (Czech Republic, Netherlands, Slovenia, UK), PEOPLE embedded new learning modules in degree programs, enabling students to gain practical skills to complement their theoretical education, while demonstrating the value of that education for industry.
Managed project activities in the Netherlands; recruited and supervised project staff; defined and monitored agreements with national project partner (Alliander); coordinated partners internationally in selected project activities. Donor: EC, Erasmus+. |
Demal te Niew
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This project produced a scientifically informed web-documentary about return migration between Italy and Senegal. Combining data-journalism and multi-media storytelling, it presented an alternative view on migration as not only directed toward Europe, but also as heading back home.
Ensured scientific coordination; supervised junior researchers in the field. Donor: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, European Journalism Grant. |
Migration and Development between Africa and Europe *Expert
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Various short-term assignments in the field of migration and development for, among others: European Commission (EC), International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD).
Act as project evaluator, expert in policy and program development, and facilitator during intergovernmental dialogues. |
Gender, Migration and Social JusticeSenior researcher
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This project aimed at knowledge sharing, dissemination and policy influence based on 14 gender and migration research projects carried out in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Designed and delivered one-to-one coaching to partners, helping them translate research findings into policy briefs; authored a chapter for the final edited book. Donor: IDRC. |
EC-UN Joint Migration and Development Initiative (JMDI) *Principal investigator
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The largest and most influential migration and development initiative ever funded in Europe, this program supported 121 small-scale actors implementing migration and development projects in 16 target countries. The program was implemented by UNDP in partnership with IOM, ILO, UNFPA and UNHCR.
Designed research goals and tools to extract lessons learnt; led the research team and co-authored a handbook for practitioners, which was launched during the 2011 Global Forum on Migration and Development. Donor: European Commission. |
Diasporas for Peace (DIASPEACE)Project leader
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This project sought to generate policy-relevant, evidence-based knowledge on the engagements of diaspora organizations from Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea with their countries of origin.
Based at the African Diaspora Policy Center, I supervised junior researchers; coordinated partners in preparing joint deliverables; ensured project administration and budget control. Donor: European Commission, FP7. |
Migration Governance and Implications for Development *Principal investigator
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Implemented by the ILO Sub-regional Office for the Sahel, this program provided technical assistance to West African governments managing a seasonal migration scheme in the agricultural sector.
Designed and coordinated a study on return migration from Europe to Mali, Mauritania and Senegal; supervised field researchers in four countries; wrote a report; presented findings at a regional public event in Dakar. Donor: Spanish bilateral funding. |
Urban Fear and Security in Lombardy, ItalySenior researcher
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This research program comprised four consecutive mixed-method projects aimed at understanding citizens’ perceptions of fear and security in urban areas and related institutional policies and policing services.
Contributed to grant acquisition; coordinated the qualitative research team. Donor: Italian Regional authorities (IReR). |
Irregular Migration from Africa to Europe *Principal Investigator
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This project aimed at collecting background knowledge on the emergence of illegal maritime migration routes from West Africa to the Spanish Canary Islands.
Conducted desk research and compiled a report; shared findings at a public event in Germany. Donor: Caritas International. |
European Liberty and Security (ELISE)Researcher
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This project aimed at understanding concerns about security among European citizens, while bearing in mind the need not to undermine civil liberties, human rights and social cohesion.
Member of the Italian team: wrote a working paper on Italian NGOs in humanitarian crises. Donor: European Commission, FP5. |
Photo: Giulia Sinatti, Dakar (Senegal) 2019