Testimonials

Previous education

Economics and Business Economics, Radboud University

Programme

International Political Economy

Study start date

06 September 2021

Sanne Delbressine is a Master's student International Political Economy.

'One of the main reasons why I chose the IPE specialisation was because of its interdisciplinary nature. I really enjoyed getting to know students from different academic backgrounds while learning about both economics and political sciences. Most classes are relatively small which allow for a very interactive learning process. In the Master's, you have to apply your knowledge a lot more than in a Bachelor's and think about how certain theories relate to real situations and events. This is very interesting but can be challenging as well.

I really like the atmosphere in classes. Since the specialisations are quite small, the connection with other students is strong. We often had dinners or drinks with a group of students as well. Teachers were always nice and willing to help if there were any issues. They were always willing to delve into topics more and discuss current affairs with students. Overall, it was really nice to go to campus and be around fellow students and teachers.

I find it most challenging that you're expected to be even more independent in your studies, however, I found that working together with classmates can be very helpful. Teachers are always available to help out as well.

I am currently writing my thesis on the effect of social capital on the willingness to protect the environment.

I think it is important to have professionals with knowledge of both economics and political sciences because the fields are very connected to each other since economic decisions are made within a political sphere and politics take place within a certain economic sphere. I plan to work on sustainability-related topics and possibly do a PhD in the field.'

Previous education

BSc Economics - Tilburg University

Programme

International Political Economy

Study start date

05 September 2022

Study end date

14 July 2023

Rens Nagtegaal is a Master's student International Political Economy.

What do you like about the programme/specialisation and why? How has the programme/specialisation challenged you (in relation to your previous education)?

International Political Economy provides you with enticing insights into the political and economic sides of contemporary affairs. It provides perspectives from both disciplines and enters the intersectional area to discover how these two interplay. The added value of this programme is precisely this intersection and its discovery through cooperation, discussion and studying.

What do you think about the atmosphere in class (for example the relationship between students and with the teachers/researchers)?

The atmosphere in class has always been pleasant. Students and lecturers respect one another, their values and the opinions or ideas they profess.

What do you find most challenging in your Master’s (specialisation)? Have you encountered any obstacles?

The most challenging of this programme in my opinion is the diversity in courses and the need to switch from lens or perspective between different courses quite a lot.

Are you currently doing an internship? Or what is your thesis about?

Currently, I'm writing my thesis on environmental sustainability investment decisions part-time at KPMG Meijburg, where I look into the role that subsidies and sustainability reporting play in the environmental sustainability decisions of firms of different sizes in the Netherlands.

Why do you think is it important that there are people out there with this degree? What are your plans once have received your Master's degree?

I believe it is crucial to look at issues through multiple lenses and study problems from multiple angles. Therefore, a multidisciplinary degree is a good starting point, but it is precisely that, a starting point. From there on out graduates should keep learning and adding perspectives. In my case, that will be in the field of sustainability auditing, in which I will get hands-on experience in auditing firms' sustainability reports.

Previous education

PhD in Economics from KU Leuven

Nationality

Belgian

Programme

Economics and Business Economics

Country of previous education

Belgium

Vincent Delabastita is an Assistant Professsor Economics & Business Economics.

Can you introduce yourself?

I teach a wide range of courses, including History of Economics and Institutional Economics.
I really enjoy bringing economic methods together with historical data to shed light on today’s policy challenges. That also means I am not afraid to spend time in the archives when needed; and you will probably hear the occasional historical story or example pop up in my lectures!

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

Today’s labour markets are marked by rising inequality, declining union coverage, and increasing bargaining power held by employers. These trends make it more important than ever to understand the institutions that shape how people work, earn, and professionally develop. My research tackles exactly this issue by looking at how such institutions develop and why they matter for inequality.

Because these institutions do not appear overnight (they build up and change over centuries), I focus on the long-run history behind them. That is also how I started my academic path: by combining economic analysis with hands-on archival work to trace how labor-market institutions came to be and how they continue to influence our lives today.

What do you like best about being a lecturer?

I love helping students learn the beautiful language of economics and showing them how to use it to explore the topics and questions they find most exciting.

What are you currently doing your own research on?

I take a broad temporal scope, and my current research ranges all the way from the Middle Ages to the 20th century (cf. supra for common theme).