Hi, my name is Dr. Elise van der Mark. I am a Dutch anthropologist specialized in Social Development through qualitative research, action research and projectmanagement. Currently, I am a postdoc researcher and lecturer at the VU Amsterdam.
For the past 14 years I have been conducting research and managing projects on social development in Zimbabwe, South Africa and the Netherlands. Themes that interest me are: women empowerment, gender equality, poverty, public participation, disability & care, inclusive access to healthcare, and the use of arts and culture in development. One aspect of my work that I thoroughly enjoy is the interaction with the people I work for and with. To connect, discuss, explore and learn with each other, in order to foster social change. My current position at the Athena Institute of the VU Amsterdam encapsulates the above; research, interaction, and social justice. After three years in beautiful and energetic Cape Town, my partner and I returned to the Netherlands to welcome our twins into the world. In my spare time, which is hard to come by with three-year old twins, I love spending time outdoors, read books, practice yoga, play the piano and harmonica and do an occasional (belly or salsa) dance. |