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Dr. Paula M. E Kibbelaar 

Biography

Dr. Paula Kibbelaar was the founding dean, associate professor and lecturer at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) at the University of Aruba (UA) (2009-2013). While she was dean, she was invited by the then Board of Trustees for three months as the interim rector of the University of Aruba (from October to January 2010-2011). Currently she works as a lecturer, coordinator, researcher, and policy worker at the Aruban Teacher Training College (PABO) within the Kingdom of the Netherlands applying sustainable inclusive development (17 SDG’s) as the main theoretical perspective within the curriculum. 

 

She has implemented this framing within the IPA’s People and Society sector curricula; particularly for economy and politics (Profit/Prosperity/tourism/SIDS and active and/or communitarianism, social capital, engaged citizenship and/or citizen studies and good governance) and as a tool for sustainable learning and education for her projects and lectures at the IPA. Previously, she has worked for several Dutch ministries, the Dutch Employers organization De Baak VNO-NCW, and other governmental and private sector organizations in the Netherlands and the Netherlands Antilles (Curaçao). 

Dr Kibbelaar obtained her PhD in Social Sciences in 2005 at the University of Utrecht at the Utrecht School for Governance (REBO or USG) and she is an inter and multidisciplinary social science scientist, policy worker and researcher. Her research interests include Latin American and Dutch Caribbean Island studies; women’s and ethnic studies (gender diversity); organization (corporate diversity) and governance research and development studies. She has participated in the Netherlands, Curacao and Aruba as board member or chair in numerous foundations and/ or organizations. She was chair of the foundation Weconnect Aruba (2015-2021). She is currently a member of the Gender Steering Committee for the Development of a Gender Policy in Aruba for the office of the Prime Minister of Aruba. She was one of the editors of the Gender Action Plan which was offered to the Secretary of State Alexandra van Huffelen in May 2022 at the University of Aruba. She Is also a board member of the WIIS foundation at the University of Leiden. She lectures on topics regarding the SDG’s, inclusive sustainability or sustainable inclusive development, inclusion, equity & diversity, globalization, social justice, migration, citizen studies, HRM policies within organization and/ or governance studies. Currently she is the senior project leader of the follow-up post covid Youth Monitor Aruba research project in collaboration with the VU commissioned by the Aruban minister of Education and Sport and the minister of Social Affairs and Justice. She is the initiator of the National Gender Education and Motherhood project (2022-2023). She also partners up with the University of Curacao on the NRO research project (Education Research NWO).  She is an expert on gender (diversity) for and within organizations and companies; sustainable inclusive development (SDG’s), inclusion, equity & diversity, development challenges and governance and organization studies.

Current coordinating projects

Senior Project leader Research project Follow up Post-covid Youth Monitor Aruba commissioned by the Aruban minister of Education and Sport and the minister of Social Affairs and Justice; research team is multidisciplinary, multicultural, multiethnic and interdisciplinary consist by IPA,  VU, UA and IPA experts.

Lead researcher and initiator for the upcoming Gender & Education book project commissioned by the prime minister and the rector of the University of Aruba on 50 (Aruban) women, or women working and living on or for Aruba and the impact of their mother on their educational choices and/or career for Aruba society or the impact of their motherhood on their daughters regarding education and or career choices. Deadline for the launch or presentation is the 18th of March in 2025.

NRO/NWO projects in collaboration the University of Aruba and the University of Curacao/IPA
 

Current Research assignments

Coordinating the research assignment by the Aruban government on the follow up mental health post covid among 5th and 6th graders in alle elementary schools in Aruba; highlighting the social crisis post covid.

Coordinating the qualitative data analysis, report, and presentation/seminar of the Follow-up Post covid Youth Monitor Aruba 2023/2024.

Coordinator and lead researcher and project leader for the Gender & Education book project on the SDG 4 and SDG 5 on 50 Aruban women or women working and living in Aruba. Framing from an Aruban context fifty intersectional zed female experiences on motherhood, education, and careers.

NRO/NWO research project in collaboration with the University of Curacao and the University of Aruba.

Final BSc thesis supervisor for fourth year IPA students

Current projects

The 17 SDGs or sustainable inclusive development within the IPA curriculum for HYC or Mens & Maatschappij sector at IPA, particularly on the topics of Prosperity/profit and Participatory Governance or active citizenship citizen studies.

Empowerment workshops commissioned by CEO Amsterdam Manor, Jurgen v Schaijk for HR department and front desk employees. 2022-2023

Coordinator of the Social Service at IPA and redefining the framing of social service from the 17 SDGs.

Coordinating/initiator for the BALA (Bestuurs Academie Land Aruba) commissioned by DRH/Ministry of Nature, Transport, Integrity, and seniors’ affairs.

Project leader for the parliament on Diversity, equity and inclusion for the government of Statia (2024)

Lecturer and social science coordinator second year /semester for the nurses BSc program of HOH, DVG, IMSAN and Wit Gele Kruis.

Coordinating renewal MOU between UA/IPA and NYU Steinhardt of Education, Culture and Human Development, and main contact person for WAS-GMA for IPA. Exploring for a partnership in Washington DC/Howard University. US/Canada coordinator for international internship. Coordinator Towson University MOU partnership in Baltimore/Maryland in collaboration with WAS-GMA.

 

Partnership and/or collaboration with Directie Onderwijs (DEA), Centro Hoben I Famia, DAS, WitGele Kruis, Ministerie Economische Zaken, Communicatie en duurzaamheid, Ministerie Onderwijs en Sport, Ministerie Sociale Zaken en Justitie en ministerie Natuur, Transport, Integriteit en Ouderenzaken.

Teaching BKO/PDG at IPA on the SDGs, globalization, diversity, and migration

BKE/BKO student at IPA

Teaching for International Minor (IM) Students at IPA 2018-

Teaching HyCs first year students, from the 17 SDGs perspective economics, politics, and active citizenship (Collaborating with the ministry of economic affairs, communication and sustainable development, Central Bank of Aruba (CBA) on the Global Money Week (GMW)Project).

Final thesis supervisor BSc at IPA (for years) and/or social projects supervisor

Taught at the UoC (MSc Social Work program; thesis supervisor), at the FAS BSc for OGM and Social Work, VU guest lectures, ISS/Erasmus ORPAS policy worker, UvA at Amidst/Indra or Faculty of social and behavioral science for master’s student, at UU at USBO or REBO for MSc students.

Work Experience

2013 - Present

Instituto Pedagogico Arubano | Lecturer . Researcher . Policyworker

Developer and lecturer IPA modules HyC 2014-2018. Introduction Participatory Governance (The teacher as social agent and the social map / De leerkracht als sociaal agent en de sociale kaart), Workshops Sustainable Inclusive Development or Perspectiva Mundial (PM), co-author of the Perspectiva Mundial (PM) reader, Participatory Governance, supervisor PM papers, Research Coordinator PM, ASP supervisor, Lecturer module Social inequality within elementary schools. VU-IPA/UA collaboration on a Youth monitor titled ‘HeyYouAruba’ (NWO-VU-IPA). NWO research project currently supervised by VU/IPA 2016.

2015

Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospital & WGK | Lecturer

For nurses in Bsc. Module social sciences.

2013 - Present

Instituto Pedagogico Arubano (CIDE) | Researcher 

Vice president of the Jubilee 25 IPA Jubilee conference committee in May 2016. Supervision Boardmember NWO Postdoctoral researchproject VU2014-2016; Riskfactors for Dutch Caribbean women in criminal circuits by dr. Katherina Joosen supervised by Prof.dr. Catrien Bijleveld en dr. Anne-Marie Slotboom. Currently member of the research team on the report Pilot Youth Monitor Aruba. The Quality of Life of Aruban Youth(2020) assigned by IPA & Minister of Education. Organizing committeemember and MC for the symposium titled Research in higher education within the Kingdom of the Netherlands 23rd and 24th of May 2017 Marriott Aruba in collaboration with the Hogeschool of Rotterdam.

2014- Present

Board Member Foundations

Chair WeConnect Aruba | 2016 – Present Stil Verleden | 2014 – Present
WEB Commission | 2013-2016
OCAN | 2005-2009

FENN | 1998-2004

2012 - 2013

University of Aruba | Founding Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science

Co-lecturer and developer of the modules Philosophy of science, Disciplinary approaches to organizations, introduction to qualitative research, Sociology of Development, Diversity. Lecturer: Qualitative Research in Organizations. Guest lecturer Social work and Development perspectives and other modules. Supervisor F.A.S Bsc thesis’s. Co-promoter research project Social Media on Aruba in collaboration with the University of Amsterdam. Faculty of Humanities. Promotor. Prof. dr. Richard Rogers. Supervision research project:. Co-promotor Ph.D. research project titled: research into female executive leadership in the lodging industry in Aruba. A focus on the effects of second-generation gender bias on career advancement.

2010 - 2011

University of Aruba | Interim rector

Dean, associate professor and lecturer of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) at the University of Aruba 2009-2013.

2008 - 2009

University of The Netherlands Antilles | Lead Researcher

Lead researcher for the research project ‘Strong women in the Dutch Kingdom’ commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Interior affairs and Kingdom relations in collaboration with the University of the Netherlands Antilles (University of Curacao or UoC).

2008 - 2009

Hoge School of Amsterdam, Netherlands | Lecturer

Developer and lecturer of the Modules: The Do’s and Don’ts of diversity.

2008 

Hoge School of Amsterdam, Netherlands | Support staff member merger PABO within the UNA

During the set-up of the program SW/FMG for the UNA in Amsterdam, by holding talks and coordinating the merger with HvA/UvA under the guide of Prof.dr.Jeanne de Bruijn rector of the University of the Netherlands Antilles.

2007

Institute of Social Studies (ORPAS), Netherlands | Interim Research Officer

Update of the ISSwebsite (research) and a report on all the research vision and projects.

2006

I-NOVA, Netherlands | Associate consultant-researcher

Coordinator of the diversity scan at and for the Dutch Ministry of Justice.

2005-2008

National Institute of Dutch Slavery History & Heritage, Netherlands | Project manager

www.ninsee.nl of the Royal Tropical Institute (www.kit.nl) in Amsterdam from February 2005 until December 2005; Assigned by the Ministry of Justice (Then Minister of Justice, Mw. Verdonk) Conference and report (publication) on the emancipation and participation of Afro Antillean and Surinamese (Caribbean) women, in particular young (teenage) mothers, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and Integration and the Municipality of Amsterdam.

2005-2008

National Institute of Dutch Slavery History & Heritage, Netherlands | Project manager

www.ninsee.nl of the Royal Tropical Institute (www.kit.nl) in Amsterdam from February 2005 until December 2005; Assigned by the Ministry of Justice (Then Minister of Justice, Mw. Verdonk) Conference and report (publication) on the emancipation and participation of Afro Antillean and Surinamese (Caribbean) women, in particular young (teenage) mothers, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and Integration and the Municipality of Amsterdam.

2003-2005

Embassy of the Netherlands Antilles in The Hague, Netherlands | Free lance projectmanager

Published and developed a funding and subsidy brochure for funding projects in the Kingdom of the Netherlands regarding the Dutch Caribbean. A publication on all the funding agencies and subsidies within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

2004 - 2005

Ministry of Integration in The Hague, Netherlands | Assistant to the secretary

Assistant to the secretary of the commission for high risk Antillean youths.

2002-2005

Utrecht University (USBO), Netherlands | Ph.D. researcher

Lectures (Modules on Master level) and supervision of master’s students at the USBO with their graduate fieldwork. Lecturer in the module titled ‘Diversity in Management’; in collaboration with drs. Ezra van Zadelhof.

2002-2004

Opportunity in Bedrijf (OIB), Netherlands | Internship projectmanager

Worked on the projects: ‘Equal- research Women are the potentials in the future of the IT’, ‘Diversity within an international perspective for the corporate world’. And responsible for the publication of the report: De Top telling 2002; “Heeft het bedrijfsleven zich niet te eenzijdig ontwikkeld?”

2000-2002

Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, Netherlands | Ph.D. researcher/supervisor

Supervision of the master thesis titled: “Can Home-based Teleworking increase Emirate Women’s share in the United Arab Emirate Labour Market?” by S. Elsadig Awad Bahsir. Seminar Fieldwork methodology ‘Shattering the glass ceiling’.

1994 - 1996

University of Amsterdam (INDRA), Netherlands | Ph.D. Guest Researcher

Write research proposal.

Education

Completed in 1998

Faculty Agids / Indra - Netherlands 

University of Amsterdam

PH.D. Degree

Research proposal titled: ‘Tertiary educated women on the Curacao Labor market; possibilities, barriers and strategies’ under supervision of Prof. Dr. Joke Schrijvers (promoter) and Dr. Philomena Essed (co-promoter).

Completed in 1993

Master Thesis - Cultural Anthropology - Netherlands

University of Utrecht

Under supervision of Dr. Philomena Essed with the thesis: ‘From the descriptive black women studies to transformative black feminist research’.

Masters Degree

Completed in 1990

African - American Studies 

University of Massachusetts at Amherst

Under supervision of Dr. Philomena Essed with the thesis: ‘From the descriptive black women studies to transformative black feminist research’.

Masters Degree

Completed in 1987

Summer Course

Introduction to the African Diaspora.

Howard University USA

Masters Degree

Completed in 1989

Social Sciences & Cultural Anthropology,
Netherlands

Latin American Studies, Caribbean studies, Women’s Studies and Ethnic Studies.

Utrecht University

Bachelor Degree

Publications

2018

ARTIKEL GENDERGELIJKHEID OP ARUBA

Coaching Magazine Juli 2018

Coaching Magazine Juli 2018
Amigoe Weconnect Seminar UA May 2019
Report Pilot Youth Monitor Aruba (department of Education) 2020

2017

SOCIAALCULTUREEL JOURNAAL

Kristof. Revista Socsialkultural VolumE XVIII-4,2017

2017

EMANCIPATIE OP DE ARBEIDSMARKT 2018

Coaching Magazine Gastcolomn December 2017

2014-2016

DIVERSE RAPPORTEN/VERSLAGEN/BELEIDSNOTITIES

Jaarrapporten FAS/UA, Brochure sponsors Nederland- Nederlandse Antillen/Antillenhuis, ORPAS/ISS Erasmus University, IPA PM reader 2014-2016, Beleidsrapport Maatschappelijke dienstverlening IPA 2016-2020.

2014-2016

A SAILOR’S GRAVE AT BOC’I BRIK/PUENTE: SKELETAL REMAINS OF A MARINER OF THE GERMAN BRIG HERO, LOST IN THE 1886 HURRICANE DISASTERNETHERLANDS

Guest-editor of the Journal Ceque in collaboration with drs. Kees van Nooren, drs. Raymondo Dijkhoff.

2012

LA DIASPORA AFRICANA. UN LEGADO DE RESISTENCIA

Editor dr. MarthaLuz Machado Caicedo. National Institute for the Study of Dutch Slavery/Ninsee: Fundacion Universitaria Claretiana FUCLA y Universidad del Valle.

2010

VROUWEN VAN DE NEDERLANDSE ANTILLEN EN ARUBA. NAAR EEN BETERE TOEKOMST. DE POSITIE VAN DE ANTILLIAANSE EN ARUBAANSE VROUW IN HET HEDEN, VERLEDEN EN IN DE TOEKOMST

Universiteit van de Nederlandse Antillen.

2008

RESEARCH REPORT I.S.S

Commissioned by ORPAS I.S.S.

2007

N’THE ART OF BEING A FOREIGNER IN AMSTERDAM

Bis publisher and de Baak. Amsterdam/Noordwijk. (www.artofbeingaforeigner.nl of www.debaakartofbeingaforeigner.nl)

2006

ONDERZOEKSRAPPORT/DIVERSITEITSSCAN

Commissioned by the ministery of Justice DCIM; Van Divers naar Diversiteit.

2006

EMANCIPATIE VAN ANTILLIAANSE EN ARUBAANSE VROUWEN. 

Participatie=Integratie and C. Havinga. Amsterdam. Ninsee. www.kiem.nl.

2006

PERCEPTIONS AND BARRIERS OF WORKING WOMEN ON THEIR POSSIBILITIES ON CURACAO LABOUR MARKET

Impact of the slavery history in the Caribbean for the 52nd Congress International de Americanistas, in Seville Spain, July 17th-25th, 2006, at the University of Seville.

2005

FONDSEN EN SUBSIDIEREGELINGEN VOOR ONDERNEMINGEN EN NGO’S IN NEDERLAND EN DE NEDERLANDSE ANTILLEN

Den Haag - Antillenhuis.

2005

DISSERTATION: CRACKS IN THE GLASS CEILING

Tertiary educated women on the Curacaoan labour market. Possibilities, barriers and strategies. SWP in Amsterdam.

2003

CHAPTER 2, ‘GENDER, ETHNICITY AND IMAGE.’

Page 176-202 in the publication Curaçao 1863-2003. Beeldvorming, identiteit en cultuur.

2003

SPIN-OFF PUBLICATION OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: ‘HOGE HAKKEN, WERELDBAAN; VROUWEN OP SLEUTELPOSITIES OP CURAÇAO’

In collaboration with Walburg Pers at Zutphen. and Buma, C.

2008

DE TOPTELLING; ‘HEEFT HET BEDRIJFSLEVEN ZICH TE EENZIJDIG ONTWIKKELD?’

By Opportunity in Bedrijf (OIB) i.s.m. SCP.

Professional Skillset

Research Methodology

Data Analysis

Project Management

Public Speaking

Languages

English 

Dutch

Spanish 

Papiamento

References

Former General Director of the Instituto Pedagogico Arubano (IPA) | Drs. Ava Thode | avathode@gmail.com

Former Director of USBO and REBO at the University of Utrecht | Dr. Paul Verweel | p.verweel@uu.nl
Chair of the Executive Board of USBO | Prof. dr. M. Noordegraaf | m.noordegraaf@uu.nl
Former Minister of Education | Dr. Armando (Rudy) Lampe | armando.lampe@gmail.com

Director of Department of Education | Drs. Annemarie Proveyer | annemarie.proveyer@ea.aw

Director of Bloodbank Aruba | Prof. dr. Ashley Duits | ajduits@gmail.com
Former Director FKP | Herman George | herman.s.george@live.com
Dutch Caribbean University WTC Curaçao | Dr. Gilbert Cijntje | gcijntje@hotmail.com

Former CEO of De Baak (www.debaak.nl) Drs. Harry Starren

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