Testimonials

Nationality

World citizen

Programme

Capital, Labour and Extraction

Arnoud Lagendijk is Professor of Economic Geography.

Can you introduce yourself?

My name is Arnoud Lagendijk. I studied Human Geography in Utrecht, did my PhD in Economic Geography in Rotterdam, and then continued working as a postdoc in Reading, Newcastle upon Tyne, and then became a Professor in Nijmegen. I have been teaching for 40 years, in Economic Geography, institutional and relational theory, amongst others. Currently I primarily teach economic courses in the Bachelor's and Master's Programmes.

Why did you choose to study/work in this field? What makes this field so interesting?

Where most social studies, notably economics, set out to reveal existing regularities and causalities, geography starts from differences and relations. It fully embraces the autonomy of individual and collective behaviour and practices, always deeply immersed in geography. It then seeks to explore communalities, patterns, and actions emerging from a world of difference. That makes geography so special, real and relevant!

What are you currently doing your own research on?

I currently work on the role of Dutch regions in advocating and advancing the transformation to the circular economy. Looking at regional collaborative initiatives and voices, we explore how regions can substantially contribute to plans, knowledge and investments to boost and scale the circular economy. We also look at the more political role of regions, through their advocacy and tactics towards (inter)national levels.

What advice do you have for students making their study choice?

Engage! Collaborate! Enjoy! See learning as a collective, creative and engaging process. Look for studies and tracks that come with less grading, and that are more about coaching and topics that can make the change to the world and yourself that you inspire. 

What is the best part of working with students?

Coaching. Motivating. Breaking down barriers blocking confidence and creativity. Sharing new ideas and research. Studying and working in the field. Getting away from one-way lectures and narrowing grades.

What does your work in practice (outside your role as a lecturer/researcher at Radboud University) bring to your academic work, and vice versa?

Nice question. I am on the Board of the Dutch Education Union (AOb), working in Utrecht for two days in the week. What I bring to the university is the drives to improve our working conditions so that we can improve our teaching and research.