Summary
Graduated in 2019 in Aerospace Engineering and Science Communication, currently working on making aviation more sustainable as part of the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre. Freelance webdeveloper and photographer.
Skills: analytical, entrepreneurial, determined, problem-solving, quality-over-quantity mindset, (organisationally) sensitive, eye for detail, (constructive) critical attitude.
Experience
Researcher / Consultant Sustainable Aviation, Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)09/2019 - current | 40 hours per week
Specialist in the field of sustainable aviation, and employed as researcher, consultant and project leader. My research and consultancy work is primarily focused on identifiying solutions for mitigating aviation’s CO2 emissions and broader climate impact, assessing the contribution of such solutions and providing (policy) advice on related challenges. Besides, I’m interested in reducing aviation noise annoyance, and specifically the role that communication and community engagement can play in that effort. I work for a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sector, such as various Dutch ministries, KLM, SkyTeam, and the various organisations involved in the Destination 2050 initiative. Moreover, I am and have been involved in a number of European research projects (e.g. PULSAR, ClimOP, TRANSCEND, ANIMA en GLIMPSE2050).
When shaping the future of aviation, I am convinced of the need to tackle the current challenges in a way that adresses both technical and societal aspects. As such, I am most happy to work on (policy) advice and research that combines or integrates these two perspectives.
Publicly accessible reports to which I have contributed can be accessed through the NLR reports repository. Besides, I have written various (Dutch) NLR-blogs.
Programme Lead Climate-Neutral Aviation, Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)03/2023 - current
In addition to my work as researcher / consultant sustainable aviation, I lead the NLR research programme on Climate-neutral aviation.
Freelancer / business owner, Bram Peerlings (Rotterdam, The Netherlands)08/2013 - current | 2 hours per week
Freelance web developer and web host, data analyst, photographer, writer and communication consultant. Focused on consultancy, design, development and maintenance of (WordPress-based) websites and web-applications. As of 10/2016 as small business owner.
Sustainability Manager (a.i.), KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Amstelveen, the Netherlands)07/2021 - 12/2021 | 24 hours per week
Teaching assistant / mentor, Delft University of Technology (Delft, The Netherlands)09/2012 - 01/2013, 02/2015 - 07/2015, 02/2018 - 07/2018 | 9 hours per week
Assisting first-year students in their first and second design projects (the design and production of a stiffened box structure), including a mentoring role to guide students in finding their way.
Intern, Reputatiegroep (Utrecht, The Netherlands)10/2017- 01/2018 | 30 hours per week
During a four-month internship, I gained experience in the consultancy sector by working as a full-fledged team member of the Reputatiegroep. I have worked for a variety of clients in the health care and public sectors, advising on topics as stakeholder management, writing press releases and preparing top management for media appearances and crisis situations. In addition, I have combined our joined insights into a all-new crisis management plan for future use by the firm.
Intern Controlling Flight Operations, KLM - Royal Dutch Airlines (Schiphol, The Netherlands)09/2016 - 02/2017 | 40 hours per week
During a six-month internship, I have researched KLM’s flight plans. Besides making various smaller recommendations, I have identified a significant cost saving potential associated to reducing the amount and extent of early arrivals. In addition, I was able to establish the added value offered by manual adjustments to the computer-optimised flight plan. Last, I have further improved fuel forecasting and analysis models in Python.
Education
Science Communication / Communication Design for Innovation (MSc), Delft University of Technology (Delft, The Netherlands)09/2015 - 09/2019 | 8/10
Double degree (60 EC / one year extra), comined with Aerospace Engineering. Multidisciplinary programme, ultimately focused on integrating science, technology and innovation with society. Courses in communication theory, journalism, marketing, corporate communications, strategy and design thinking. Besides acquiring communication skills, this programme has challenged me to think about the societal aspects of technology and innovation. This way, I am even more aware of the wide range of perspectives, stakeholders and interests that exist. Thesis grade 9.0/10, awarded cum laude because of “exceptional skills in the degree programme”.
Aerospace Engineering (MSc), Delft University of Technology (Delft, The Netherlands)09/2014 - 09/2019 | 7.9/10
Double-track specialisation in the programmes Flight Performance and Propulsion and Air Transport Operations in order to learn as much as possible about aviation (technology). Courses in applied aerodynamics, propulsion systems, design methodologies and optimisation on one hand, and on safety and the operational challenges of airlines (e.g. fleet and network planning, maintenance) and airports on the other. Thesis grade 8.0/10.
Aerospace Engineering (BSc), Delft University of Technology (Delft, The Netherlands)09/2010 - 05/2014 | 7.4/10
Distinguished and very international programme, teaching courses in aerospace engineering from day one – besides general engineering subjects. Half-year (30 EC) minor Airport of the Future, concerning the business side of aviation, as well as management and operations of airports. BSc-thesis EuroFlyer: conceptual design of a regional, hybrid-electric aircraft for entry into service in 2035. 10 weeks full-time team work with 9 others, graded 8.0/10 and awared the second prize in the related symposium.
International Baccalaureate, English A2 Higher Level, osg Willem Blaeu (Alkmaar, The Netherlands)09/2007 - 05/2010 | 6/7
International programme for bilingual education, teaching English literature, media and culture, and encouraging critical reflection. One of my final essays was graded as ‘Excellent Performance’ (7/7 points).
Pre-University (Gymnasium), osg Willem Blaeu (Alkmaar, The Netherlands)09/2016 - 07/2010 | 7.8/10
Combined tracks of Nature & Technology and Nature & Health. Courses in Dutch, English, Latin, biology, mathematics (8 hours/week), physics, chemistry and computer science. Final assignment on the topic of evolutionary dynamics (grade 9/10), presented as a website.
Additional functions
Committee member, D.S.V. Sint Jansbrug (Delft, The Netherlands)09/2010 - current
During my time as member of student society D.S.V. Sint Jansbrug, I participated in various committes. I was involved in IT and web development (2010 – 2019) and internal policy making (2016 – 2018). Before that, I have acted as personal coach to one of the board members (2015 – 2018), performed bar/catering work (2011 – 2013) and volunteered as photographer (2011 – 2013) and study mentor (2011 – 2012). Since 2013, I am part the editorial group making a bi-monthly newsletter, sent out to other alumni.
Member of the Board of Studies of Science Education & Communication, Delft University of Technology (Delft, The Netherlands)06/2016 - 09/2019 | 1 hours per week
As a student member of the Board of Studies, I contributed to improving the educational programmes of Science Education and Communication at Delft University of Technology. In bi-monthly meetings, I’ve contributed to providing (solicited as well as unsolicited) advice to the department head and programme coordinators. Additionally, I co-organised regular mid-term evaluations of the various courses in the curriculum.
Member of the Residents Committee Michiel de Ruyterweg09/2014 - 03/2020 | 2 hours per week
One of four members of the residents committee of the student flat I was living in. As Residents Committee, we formed the linking pin between residents and various housing associations and look after tenant’s interests, checked the yearly service fee budget and bill, and managed some of the shared resources. My main focus was on communication.
Chairman / board member, Stichting Festival Aangeschoten Wild (Delft, The Netherlands)06/2013 - 07/2018 | 8 hours per week
Chairman (08/2014 – 07/2018) of a non-profit organization responsible for organizing the yearly Festival Aangeschoten Wild music and culture festival, drawing 1100 visitors each year. In my function, I mainly guided, coached and supported junior team members, besides leading many long-term organisational developments. Prior to my role as chairman, I was general member of the board.
(Advisory) board member, Stichting Sociëteit Sint Jansbrug (Delft, The Netherlands)09/2013 - 09/2015 | 2 hours per week
Advisory (09/2014 – 09/2015) board member of a non-profit association maintaining three buildings in the Delft city centre, marked as (national) heritage sites. The association lets two buildings to a student society and the third to 16 students.
Vice President, D.S.V. Sint Jansbrug (Delft, The Netherlands)09/2013 - 08/2014 | 40+ hours per week
Board member of D.S.V. Sint Jansbrug, a student society in Delft with a bar and a restaurant, 700 members and an annual revenue of approximately €500,000. As Vice President, I have successfully sealed and signed the deal on the multi-annual acquisition process of a neighbouring building (which was transformed to 16-person student housing the next year). My work included marketing and communication, maintaining (business) relationships and setting up a fundraising campaign. Furthermore, I have gained experience in various internal and external affairs, besides having acted as a spokesperson for the society.
Commissioner Fundraising & Catering, Stichting Festival Aangeschoten Wild (Delft, The Netherlands)06/2012 - 04/2013 | 6 hours per week
Member of a committee of 9, I was responsible for raising over €7,000 (original target: €5,000) in subsidies from both local and regional authorities and instances. Also, I took care of booking (external) catering companies for the festival’s food-court. Additionally, I helped my fellow organisers fulfilling their tasks, for example by setting up an online ticket sales website and corporate fundraising.
International experience
Study tours / exchange programmes2004 - current
Study tour (09/2018, 30 days) to the United States and Canada, organised by the society of Aerospace Engineering students at TU Delft. Study tour (10/2015, 3 days) to the United Kingdome, organised by the study association for Science Communication students at TU Delft. During my years in high school (2004 – 2017), I have participated in three exchange programmes with the United Kingdom and Spain, each 5 to 9 days per year. Additionally, I was part of study trips to the United Kingdom and Germany.
Honours and awards
Member of merit, D.S.V. Sint Jansbrug (Delft, The Netherlands)06/2017
Recognition for a wide, exceptional and length contribution to student society D.S.V. Sint Jansbrug, and closely related organisations.
Language skills
| Dutch | Native |
| English | Near native |
Computer skills
| Basic | CPLEX, JavaScript, OOP |
| Intermediate | Adobe Creative Suite, PHP, LaTeX, Python, git, (My)SQL |
| Advanced | Microsoft Office, MATLAB, WordPress, HTML, (S)CSS |
Interests / hobbies
- Aviation industry, especially commercial aviation and sustainable developments
- Corporate communication, including branding, identity, reputation and crisis
- Hiking
- Music
- Photography and graphic design, typography, etc.
- Politics (mainly Dutch)
- Strategy
- Web development