Prof. Dr. Laurens Hessels

Laurens Hessels is a professor by special appointment of the societal value of science. This chair was established on the initiative of the Rathenau Instituut and is also funded by the Rathenau Instituut. Hessels’ research focuses on the question how public research can help to tackle urgent societal problems in domains such as climate, biodiversity and chemical pollution. In particular, he is interested in collaborative forms of knowledge production in which societal stakeholders or citizens participate as an active partner, under labels like transdisciplinary research or citizen science. In addition, he contributes to the development of methods for improving the evaluation of the societal value of research.

He also works as senior researcher at the Rathenau Instituut, where he carries out research on science and innovation policies. Laurens completed his PhD in 2010 at Utrecht University with a study into how university researchers deal with the practical applications of their work. He has also worked as a researcher with KWR Watercycle Research Institute and as a policy advisor at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

Publications

Latest publications

• Munaretto, S., Mooren, C.E., Hessels, L.K. (2022) Valorization of transdisciplinary research: An evaluation approach and empirical illustration. Research Evaluation (paper)

Journal publications (5)

• Bulten, E., Hessels, L.K., Hordijk, M., & Segrave, A.J. (2021). Conflicting roles of researchers in sustainability transitions: balancing action and reflection. Sustainability Science, 16, 1269-1283. (paper)
• Scholten, W., Franssen, T., van Drooge, L., De Rijcke, S., & Hessels, L.K. (2021). Funding for few, anticipation among all: effects of excellence funding on academic research groups. Science and Public Policy, 48(2), 265-275. (paper)
• Smit, J.P., & Hessels, L.K. (2021). The production of scientific and societal value in research evaluation: a review of societal impact assessment methods. Research Evaluation, 30(3), 323-335. (paper)
• Hessels, L.K., Mooren, C., & Bergsma, E. (2020). What can research organizations learn from their spin-off companies? : Six case studies in the water sector. Industry and Higher Education, 35, 188-200. (paper)
• Van Rijnsoever, F.J., & Hessels, L.K. (2020). How academic researchers select collaborative research projects: a choice experiment. Journal of Technology Transfer, 46, 1917-1948. (paper)