Annetje Ottow President of the Executive Board

Annetje Ottow is responsible for strategy, knowledge transfer, alliances and external relations, international relations, communication, alumni policy, a safe environment, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability at the University. Ottow is also the point of contact for the campus and for campus development in Leiden city centre. 

Wopke Hoekstra Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister

Wopke Hoekstra MBA studied law at Leiden University from 1994 to 2001. After working for Shell and McKinsey & Company, he became a member of the Dutch Senate on behalf of the CDA in 2011. From October 2017 to January 2022, he was Minister of Finance in the Rutte III government.  In January 2022, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister in the Rutte IV cabinet.

Joachim Koops Panel moderator

Prof. Joachim Koops is Professor of Security Studies, Director of the Institute of Security and Global Affairs of Leiden University and Jean Monnet Chair on the European Union’s Role in Security and Global Affairs. His research focuses on EU, UN and NATO approaches to peace and security, innovative approaches to (education) diplomacy and inter-organizational approaches to global security governance. He is currently leading the Effectiveness of Peace Operations Network’s (EPON) evaluation of the OSCE mission in Ukraine and is a member of the Advisory Expert Group on NATO and the Protection of Civilians in Conflict zones.

Larissa van den Herik Professor of Public International Law at the(Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies

Larissa van den Herik is a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration and Chair of the Advisory Committee on Public International Law Issues to the Netherlands Government (CAVV). She has published and advised on the UN Security Council and specifically UN sanctions reform and terrorism, and on the work of the UN International Law Commission (ILC). Her areas of expertise also include international criminal law and particularly the law on genocide and crimes against humanity, the role of international commissions of inquiry, and sanctions more generally. She was also a member of the independent commission that evaluated the Law on Intelligence and Security Agencies (Wiv 2017), chaired by Rene Jones-Bos.

Vanessa Newby Assistant Professor, Institute of Security and Global Affairs

Vanessa Newby is a scholar specialising in peacekeeping, peacebuilding, the Women, Peace and Security agenda and the Middle East. In 2020 she formalised the Netherlands Chapter of the prestigious Women in International Security (WIIS) association, of which she is President. She is leading impactful initiatives to advance the role of women in international peace and security.

Isabelle Duijvesteijn Hoogleraar International Studies/Global History bij het Instituut Geschiedenis

Isabelle Duyvesteyn  is a world-renowned expert on topics related to nature of war and peace in the developing world, irregular warfare and strategy, the history of terrorism and counterterrorism, strategic culture and intelligence and rebel governance. She has been a member of the Dutch national Advisory Council for International Affairs assigned to advise the Netherlands government on issues of peace and security and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Netherlands Defense Academy. 

Gjovalin Macaj Assistant professor

Gjovalin Macaj holds a DPhil from the University of Oxford on universal accountability for human rights. Gjovalin is an early career researcher whose policy relevant research on human rights, the EU, and the UN, has attracted the interest of various governments and organizations. He advises the Albanian government on peace, security, and human rights issues in the context of Albania's membership in the UN Security Council.

Hester Bijl Rector Magnificus

Hester Bijl is responsible for the teaching and research at the University. Professorial appointments and academic integrity are also part of the teaching portfolio. Hester Bijl is also the point of contact for  League of European Research Universities (LERU), European University for Well-Being (EUniWell) and the development of the Leiden Bio Science Park.

Catrin Böcher Chair Leiden University Student Platform

Catrin Böcher followed the Master’s programme Industrial Ecology, having already earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science: International Relations and Organisations. She is the current chair of the Leiden University Student Platform (LUS), the student think tank that selects the winner of the annual Leiden Teaching Prize, which is awarded at the opening of the academic year. The LUS advises the Executive Board of the University – the Rector Magnificus and President – on topical matters related to teaching and student affairs. The LUS was founded in autumn 2013.

Martijn Ridderbos Vice-chairman of the Executive Board

Martijn Ridderbos, RC, studied Business Economics at Erasmus University Rotterdam. After graduating, he began his career as a business consultant for government and non-profit organisations. In 2013 he became Chief Financial Officer and Director of the  National Service Centre of the Public Prosecution Office. Until 2017 he was also Assistant Professor of Public Management at the School of Governance of Utrecht University, where he taught public management and public financial management. In May 2017 he was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Executive Board of Leiden University. His portfolio includes finance, ICT and real estate.