Suzanne Akkerhuis

Portrait Suzanne Akkerhuis
It was never an issue to approach teachers or staff and everyone is always willing to help and discuss new ideas!
Name
Suzanne Akkerhuis
Programme
Conflict, Territories and Identities
Study start date
Previous education
Sociale geografie en planologie, Universiteit Utrecht

Suzanne is a Master's student Human Geography and specializes in Conflict, Territories and Identities.

"The Radboud specialisation: Conflict Territories and Identities mainly challenged me to think outside the box. During my Human Geography Bachelor in Utrecht, I was used to approaching issues with a more modernist view, using data science and models to explain the topic. The Master at Radboud University focusses way more on postmodern approaches which challenged me to look into new, creative research methods.

The specialisation has a small amount of teachers and students which made the atmosphere really relaxed and easy going. It was never an issue to approach teachers or staff and everyone is always willing to help and discuss new ideas!

Sometimes it was hard to think outside of the framework my previous education thought me. Going to a different university always comes with some 'getting used to'. But in the end, I am happy I did because I really feel like it enriches my perspective on the issues we discuss in class.

I am currently doing an internship for the political party Volt while writing my thesis on the rise and usage of electoral cleavages in politics.

I think is important to have experts on conflict resolution that do not only focus on the mechanisms of conflict but also on the surrounding societal context. This geographical approach to conflict does exactly that. After my masters’ I am looking to pursue a traineeship in strategic societal policy for the municipality of Utrecht.'