Sea, islands, and new ideas

The sea and island landscapes have shaped my thinking from early on. Hoek van Holland and the lost bird island De Beer inspired both my curiosity for innovation and my commitment to nature. Today my stays on Texel Island with my friend Spotty are often where new ideas for transition projects quietly begin.

ProfB

Hond op het strand bij zee

Students first

Collaboration and design thinking are central: working with students and PhDs from TU Delft and Aalborg University on environmental challenges with companies such as Sony, IKEA and Siemens-Gamesa, as well as with innovative student start-ups and regenerative North Sea islands. The quadruple helix of universities, public authorities, NGOs and businesses remains a powerful arena for change.

Uitsnede van de startfoto van hanbrezet.com

ProfB Network partners

Aalborg University (DK), Ameland E-Team, Lab Vlieland, Samso Energy Academy, BOFA Bornholm, Iles du Ponant (FR), Province of Fryslan, Inventables Fryslan, FIRDA Vocational School, New Energy Coalition (Groningen), Learning Hub Fryslan, NHL-Stenden MSc Creative Innovation, NESSIE EU Interreg North Sea, FREIIA EU Interreg North Sea, Flux 50 Brussels, IUT Bretagne (FR), University of Brest (FR), Morbihan Energy Bretagne, Cariplo Science Foundation (Italy), Hobeon Accreditation for Higher Education Institutes, House-of-Design, University of the North Award Jury, Emden-Leer University (DE), RUG University Groningen, VU Amsterdam, TU Delft Architecture, Oars-as-Oars, RMIT Melbourne, Laura Beatriz Orchestra, Sustainable Innovations Academy Amsterdam, FCT Portugal, Higher Education Agency (Ireland), Shannon University (Ireland), RUN-EU University (Portugal), and CE4EUI (European Commission - 30 pioneer islands).

Groepsfoto van ProfB Network partners op een rotsachtig eilandlandschap

Selected Projects

Five current and recent projects, each with a short introduction, visual cue, and a route to further reading.

Cover of The Rudder Method guide

Project 1

The Rudder Method

For civil servants, island leaders and partners who want to turn local ideas into structured transition projects with clear roles and stronger collaboration.

Landscape cover of the TIPPING Guide

Project 2

The TIPPING Guide

For islands, public authorities, and regional transition teams that want to assess innovation governance in practice, compare present capacity with future ambition, and use that insight to shape stronger transition programmes.

Map of European islands in the CE4EUI initiative

Project 3

CE4EUI Regional Partner

ProfB supports island energy transition on Ameland as Regional Partner in the CE4EUI initiative.

AAU NESSIE project image

Project 4

NESSIE at Aalborg University

Aalborg University's NESSIE project tackles the shortage of skilled energy transition technicians through stronger education, new learning spaces, and innovative recruitment strategies.

ProfB Services

Three areas where ProfB contributes as an external advisor, chair, and coach in higher education and transition-oriented collaboration.

Higher Education Accreditations / Hobeon

Independent support and expert contribution for higher education quality reviews, accreditation processes, and reflective institutional development.

Jury Chairing

Experienced chairing for awards, innovation juries, graduation assessments, and public or academic evaluation settings that require clarity and fairness.

External PhD Coaching

External coaching for PhD candidates and practice-based researchers working on design, sustainability, innovation policy, and transition themes.

Publications, Project Ideas & CV

A compact overview of materials that visitors may want to open directly: publications, emerging ideas, and background information.

Publications

Selected reports, guides, and project-related texts from the ProfB network and its collaborations.

Project Ideas

Early concepts and development directions for future collaborations, island initiatives, and transition-oriented proposals.

CV

A concise overview of background, roles, networks, and experience across higher education, design, and sustainability transitions.

Reflections

A place for short reflections, observations, and notes from ProfB, while also inviting the wider network to share ideas worth discussing.

This section can grow into a home for short columns, field notes, and reflections: a more personal layer of the website where experience, questions, and emerging ideas can be shared in a direct and accessible way. You are also warmly invited to submit ideas for discussion and possible future reflections.

ProfB portrait