PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATIONAL SCIENCES VUB FELLOWS

Koen Pelleriaux studied sociology at VUB and obtained his PhD in 2000. He started his career as a sociologist and researcher at VUB, then was professor of sociology at the University of Antwerp. In 2005 he became director of the sp.a. Study Centre and was Chief of Cabinet for education. In 2014, he became director of Flanders’ Department of Education and in 2020 he joined education network GO!. Since 2021, he has been executive director.

“THE VUB IS INDISPENSABLE TO ME, IN BRUSSELS AND IN THE WORLD. IN THE WORLD FOR ITS GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH, IN BRUSSELS (AND WIDE SURROUNDINGS) FOR THE ENORMOUS SOCIAL MOBILITY IT SIGNS UP FOR. BUT ALSO - AND PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY - FOR THE VALUES IT PROMOTES: SELF-DETERMINATION, TOLERANCE AND SOLIDARITY.”

Koen Pelleriaux has remained closely linked to VUB and has taught educational policy in the teacher training programme. He is a strong partner for practice and research activities that provide a response to social and educational challenges. He can offer internships and research projects for educational innovation, while his network will strengthen ties between VUB and GO! institutions.

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, KOM OP TEGEN KANKER

Proximus Mark De Ridder

Marc Michils holds a degree in economics and studied at Vlerick Business School. He worked at advertising agency BBDO before founding his own agency, Quattro, which was acquired by Saatchi & Saatchi Belgium which he led until 2012. He then became CEO of the nonprofit organization Kom op tegen Kanker until last year and remains Chairman of the Board. He writes about fair advertising and his book “Kom op!” is an ode to solidarity, written out of outrage at rising intolerance.

As cancer research is an important part of ongoing research within the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Marc Michils can help to make this research more widely known and create valuable reflection opportunities for researchers. Given his experience as Chairman of the Board of Vlaamse Brusselse Media (Bruzz), he can also contribute to the communication policy of research at the University Medical Campus.