Dr Liesbeth Rijsdijk
Liesbeth has been a professor in Networks in a Circular Economy (NiCE) since 2022. She has a multidisciplinary background, with a focus on collaboration in complex transition processes.
Follow Liesbeth on LinkedIn (opens in new tab)
Research Focus
Through the Networks in a Circular Economy research group, Liesbeth Rijsdijk aims to contribute to the transition from a predominantly linear economy to a circular economy, with attention to both people and ecology. The focus is on:
- Multiple value creation
- Collaboration within production chains and networks
- Consumption behavior
- Associated collaborative business and revenue models
The research group follows a systemic approach, involving all stakeholders—entrepreneurs, policymakers, students, teachers, and researchers—through living labs, action research, and collaborative experimentation, investigation, reflection, and learning.
Education
Liesbeth Rijsdijk holds two bachelor's degrees, one in Health and Nutrition (Hogeschool Rollecate, now Saxion University of Applied Sciences) and one in Economics (Hogeschool Utrecht). She also obtained a master's degree in Communication Science and Sustainable Development (Radboud University) and a PhD in Psychology and Neuropsychology (Maastricht University).
Research Experience
After completing her studies in Communication Science and Sustainable Development, Liesbeth Rijsdijk began her international career at the United Nations. She moved with her family to Western Samoa for three years, where she worked for UNESCO on media development to support a sustainable and inclusive Pacific region.
She then spent three years in Central Asia, based in Kazakhstan, working on HIV/AIDS and drug prevention projects for UNAIDS. During this time, she conducted research on behaviour and the effectiveness of interventions. This experience sparked her interest in collaboration on complex issues, also known as wicked problems.
Since 2003, she has been working at Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, initially as a lecturer in the Communication programme and, from 2008, at the Windesheim Honours College. From 2015, she was part of the management team for the Global Project and Change Management programme. In addition, from 2013, she worked as a senior researcher in the Social Innovation research group, where she initiated and led research on collaboration in addressing wicked problems. Since November 2022, she has been a professor in the Networks in a Circular Economy research group. Read the message about the appointment of Liesbeth as a professor.