Summary

Simone Akerboom obtained her degree in Cognitive Psychology at Leiden University in 1981. Next, she was involved in NWO grant research on auditory information processing but switched in 1985 to applied research in human error and safety. In 1989 she obtained her PhD degree at Leiden University and was appointed at the same university as senior project manager of the interdisciplinary “Werkgroep Veiligheid” (Safety Research Group), a division of the Faculty of Social Sciences performing research in commission for the Dutch government, EU and private companies.

From 2000 on she had part-time positions in the units of Cognitive Psychology  (lecturer) and Health, Medical and Neuropsychology (assistant professor).

Research

Simone Akerboom's research area is Occupational Health Psychology with an emphasis on quality of work, human error, and employee well-being. She has designed, implemented and evaluated screening instruments and interventions  to improve patient safety in the operating theatre and intensive care unit. Currently she is focusing on the environmental and motivational determinants of rule violating behavior in health care settings. Within the research area of work stress and employee health and well-being she is interested in the significance of workplace social interactions and  the role of individual differences that may determine how people behave during these interactions.

Teaching

• Cognitive Ergonomics (3 ^rd year Bachelor Program Cognitive Psychology)
• Cognitive Psychology lab (1 ^st year Bachelor Program)
• Bachelor Project (3 ^rd year Bachelor Program)
• Thesis supervision (Master Program OHP, ACP)
• PhD supervision

Administrative responsibilities

Chair of the Master Evaluation Committee; chair of the Faculty’s Art Committee; member of the Local Consultative Committee (Lokaal Overleg); co-chair of the employee organizations in the LCC; member of the Faculty Council. 

Publications