Dr. Barend van der Meulen

Barend van der Meulen has been a senior researcher with the Rathenau Institute since October 2008. His main area of interest is the dynamics of science and science policy, and the instruments used to formulate science policy. Barend van der Meulen's publications have examined diverse aspects of the Dutch science system, the 'Europeanization' of science, research evaluation, the role of forecasts and prognoses, and research funding. His current research is concerned with:

• the internationalization of science and science policy, with particular reference to the role of Europe and the European Research Area, international research programmes and the way in which international regimes influence local research management
• research evaluation, with particular reference to ways in which the social benefits of research can be quantified.

Academic background and career
Barend van der Meulen studied Chemistry and Dynamics of Science at VU University Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam. In 1992, he was awarded a doctorate by the University of Twente on the strength of a dissertation examining science evaluation. Between 1992 and 1996, he was a researcher and policy advisor to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. Until April 2009, he held a professorial appointment with the Science, Technology and Policy Studies department at the University of Twente.