I am Jurian Edelenbos. I am a full professor in the field of interactive urban governance at the department of public administration and sociology, team governance & pluralism, at Erasmus University Rotterdam. I have a special interest in engaging and developing interdisciplinary research. This explains my role as academic director of the Erasmus Initiative Program Vital Cities & Citizens, which brings together scholars from various faculties and schools to study and teach about inclusive, sustainable, smart and resilient cities and communities. I am also involved in developing team science within my faculty of social and behavioral sciences, which explains my current role and position as Team Lead of Governance and Pluralism (GoPlu). In my own research I focus on governance processes, especially regarding integral (urbanized) area (re)development and transformations. I have a systematic approach including individual, organizational and institutional levels of analysis. I have a special interest in the role of communities and residents in urban redevelopment, via public participation and community-based initiatives, regarding sustainability, climate adaptation, water resources and spatial reform. The relationship between society and government has my special attention, in how societal groups and representatives of governments collaborate. I conduct research through the (theoretical) lenses of community self-organization, resilience, government networks, trust, boundary spanning agency, network management, responsiveness, network performance and democratic legitimacy.
In my research I conduct a multiple and mixed methods approach, combining quantitative (like SEM, large N studies) with qualitative research (single, and multiple/comparative case study approaches). In addition, I take an interest in conducting research on the intersection of science and practice, so-called engaged research, via developing projects in close cooperation with stakeholders from multiple (public, private, societal) backgrounds. I (co)developed the ‘learning and reflexive evaluation’ approach which allows to combine rigor and relevance in research projects in order to provide impact opportunities for various target groups and stakeholders.