Entries by Stephanie Govaerts

HCSS Christmas Bookshelf & Sleighride Soundbites 2024 ✨

As the festive season approaches, we want to extend our gratitude to HCSS’ dedicated followers by presenting a thoughtfully curated assortment of top-notch book and podcast recommendations, just in time for the holiday festivities! Each winter, our team of staff and interns collaborates to suggest a handpicked collection of books and podcasts ideal for indulging in cosy fireside reading.

Emma Bokel on her time as a Datalab intern, leveraging data science for public policy and discovering her career path

Hi! My name is Emma and I’m at the end of my data internship as I am writing this. I’m 23 years old and Dutch, but grew up pretty internationally. I did my bachelors at TU Delft in Computer Science and Engineering, where I specialised in data science. Because I felt like I was missing knowledge on how to apply my skills to something I care about, I decided to study Engineering and Policy Analysis at TU Delft. From my studies, I knew that I love leveraging data science for public policy. So, I started looking around for anything that combines the two. The datalab at HCSS seemed like a perfect fit for me as the vacancy specifically mentioned data science and an affinity for policy research.

SANCS25 is now open for Registration!

SANCS is back as the Southern Africa-Netherlands Cyber Security School (SANCS) and is now open for registration! After the success of the inaugural SANCS earlier in March this year, we are eager to show you what we have in store in 2025. This online Cyber Security school caters to postgraduate students and young to mid-career professionals interested in cybersecurity matters, specifically those based in Southern Africa or the Netherlands.

Philippe van Pappelendam on the day-to-day as an intern, project work, and putting theory into practice

Hello there, my name is Philippe! I come from the Netherlands however I have lived abroad for most of my life. Having lived in 6 different countries on three different continents has made me almost predictably curious in world affairs. Particularly about why people, states, and other international organisations act the way they do. My chosen studies confirmed my interests and were a phenomenal way to get to know the field as well as providing me with an interdisciplinary background which proved to be very important at HCSS!

Event Recap | The Future World Order

On December 11, 2024, HCSS organised the third and final The Hague Strategic Foresight Forum Talks, titled: ‘The Future World Order’. In our second event, experts concluded that inequality lies at the heart of rising global tensions. The recent re-election of Donald Trump, running on the ‘America First’ platform, means this message will most likely be placed on the back burner, with strategic competition between the US and China taking centre stage. Leading experts in the field Michael Mazarr, John Lee and Roberta Haar explored key global challenges and what this means for the future world order from a North American, Southeast Asian and European perspective.

Thijs van Aken on serious gaming, office culture and cementing his interest in security

Hey! My name is Thijs, born and raised here in the Netherlands. Before joining HCSS, I first completed my BSc in Political Science with a specialisation in International Relations and Organisations at Leiden University. Last summer, I completed my MSc in Governance of Radicalism, Extremism and Terrorism, also at Leiden University. Throughout my studies, I developed a specific interest in both the future of European security and defence, and national security questions related to radicalisation and extremism. Given my broad interests and background, I was looking for a way to discover what topics I wanted to continue with next. The general internship of HCSS looked like an ideal way to do so!

Datalab internship opportunity at HCSS

The HCSS Datalab offers an exciting internship to aspiring data scientists. Our clients include major corporations, key government ministries, development banks, development aid agencies, and security providers, both domestic and global. The HCSS data internship therefore offers invaluable experience working on some of the most significant global issues of our time. Deadline to apply is January 5th, for a February start!

Event Recap | Schijnveilig achter de dijken: Het belang van internationale samenwerking voor de veiligheid en welvaart van Nederland

Gisteren, op 3 december 2024, organiseerde HCSS een besloten bijeenkomst over het belang van ontwikkelingssamenwerking voor de veiligheid en welvaart van Nederland. Het evenement bestaat uit een keynote speech van de oud-commandant der strijdkrachten generaal Tom Middendorp, gevolgd door twee panels gemodereerd door Han ten Broeke, directeur politieke zaken HCSS.

Internship opportunity at HCSS

HCSS is looking for new interns to start in February 2025! The HCSS internship is a dynamic and varied opportunity in research, analysis, data, communication, design, networking, copy writing, and policy development. We are an independent think tank specialised in global trends, security, and geo-economics. Interns contribute to high-impact products for clients including governments, international organisations, research organisations, the private sector, and NGOs.

Ana Dadu on Soviet prison tattoos, LinkedIn drone ads, and where her research has gotten her during her time at HCSS

Hi! My name is Ana. Whilst originally from Moldova, I have lived most of my life abroad. My first years were spent in Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Moldova, whilst the latter part of my childhood was spent growing up Denmark. I moved to the Netherlands in 2020 to study at Leiden University. In 2023 I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Political Science specialising in International Relations. I am now completing my Master’s in Public Administration, specialising in International and European governance and started interning at HCSS in February 2024.