Paulien obtained her bachelor's and master's degrees in Applied Economics, with a major in Human Resources and Organization, from KU Leuven (Belgium). In 2024, she obtained her PhD from the same university with a dissertation on career inertia. Her quantitative research focused on the hindering role of internal, emotional, and cognitive forces in pursuing career aspirations, decisions, and transitions. The PhD research was funded by a personal grant from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO). Prior to her appointment at Leiden University, Paulien was a postdoctoral researcher at Erasmus MC. There, she worked on a transdisciplinary innovation project aimed at promoting the well-being of nurses. In close collaboration with nurses and experts from other disciplines, she investigated existing innovation needs and how technological innovations can support the work experience, using methods including interviews, observations, and co-creation workshops. Driven by her interest in sustainable, meaningful careers and work, Paulien investigates how people and organizations can flourish in the dynamic work context of today and tomorrow.

Publications