Cubicus

prof.dr. E. Giebels (Ellen)

Full Professor
BMS-HIB-PCRS
Cubicus C243B
e.giebels@utwente.nl
+31534896051
Business card

I am a social and organisational psychologist (PhD, University of Groningen 1999) interested in human reactions and social interactions in high-risk, high-stakes situations. Key topics are:

  • Conflict and negotiation
  • Social influence and change interventions
  • Crime, coping and resilience
  • Social context of risks/crises

Highlights

About two decades ago, I became passionate about the field of hostage negotiations leading to collaboration with hostage negotiation teams from all over the world. I worked for a year within the Belgian Federal Police (Behavioural Science Unit) and still teach in the national Dutch hostage negotiation course. In 2015, I was part of the research team that officially evaluated the Dutch governmental functioning following the MH17 disaster. In 2017-2018, I chaired an independent committee commissioned by the State Secretary (Ministry of Defence) investigating the social safety climate within the Military (Committee Giebels).

Academic

In 2012, I received the RUBIN theory-to-practice award, co-sponsored by the International Association for Conflict Management (IACM) and the Harvard University Program on Negotiation. In 2017, I was elected Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science. In 2019, I initiated the development of an innovative theatre program about academic integrity and “working life” in academia named Mindlab.

In 2024, our ADAPT team (led by Beatrice the Graaf) received a NWO gravitation grant. ADAPT combines insights from psychology, history, philosophy and public administration science to find out what the determinants of successful societal crisis responses are and how communities can better adapt to future crises. Together with citizens and frontline professionals, and with Adapt! Academy we will translate research findings into tools and strategies that help societies navigate through crises.

Governance

As a vice-dean of research at the Faculty of Behavioural, Management, and Social Sciences (2014-2022), I co-initiated a program on more cross-disciplinary research cooperation including a strong connection with technology (Tech4People program), and founded the BMSlab. Since June 2020, I am part of the Supervisory Board of the Erasmus University Rotterdam (vice-chair per 2023).

 

Additional roles/appointment (selection)

2022-            Member/chair of several evaluation panels (ITK-midterm/NVAO)           (Leiden University, VU University Amsterdam, University of Twente, Radboud University)

2021-           Chair VU-UT Impact Coalition Creating Secure Societies                           (together with Jacquelien van Stekelenburg-VU)

2019-2023            Member task force NWA route NeurolabNL-theme safety and security

2017- 2022    Board member Kurt Lewin Institute (KLI)

2011-2020     Head of Department Psychology of Conflict, Risk & Safety

Organisations

Ancillary activities

  • TNO Defensie & VeiligheidLid Strategische Adviesraad
  • Dutch PoliceWetenschappelijke Adviesraad Politie
  • LOWIRaad van Advies LOWI (namens NWO)
  • Erasmus University RotterdamRaad van Toezicht/Supervisory Board

Publications

Jump to: 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020

2025

Gaze behaviour and deception detection: Insights from an eye tracking analysis of interviewers and observers (2025)[Working paper › Preprint]. Slijkhuis, P. J. H., Watson, S. J., Stel, M. & Giebels, E.https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/dt7gh_v1Don’t Know, Don’t Care, Don’t Want, Don’t Dare: An Explorative Study into Predictors of Police Officers’ Support for Reform to Prevent Ethnic Profiling (2025)Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology (E-pub ahead of print/First online). Böing, B., de Vries, P. W. & Giebels, E.https://doi.org/10.1007/s11896-025-09749-3

2024

Strategic adaptability negotiation training in purchasing and supply management: A multi-method instructional approach (2024)Journal of purchasing and supply management. Article 100968 (E-pub ahead of print/First online). Heunis, H., Pulles, N. J., Giebels, E., Kollöffel, B. & Sigurdardottir, A. G.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pursup.2024.100968The Face of Deception: How Your Mimicry Tells the True Story (2024)[Contribution to conference › Abstract] Annual Conference of the European Association of Psychology and Law, EAPL 2024. Slijkhuis, P. J. H., Watson, S. J., Stel, M. & Giebels, E.https://zenodo.org/records/12749976Conflict management and mediation (2024)[Book/Report › Book]. Edward Elgar. Euwema, M. & Giebels, E.https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035331536The Impact of COVID-19 on Crime: a Systematic Review (2024)American Journal of Criminal Justice, 49, 274-303. Hoeboer, C. M., Kitselaar, W. M., Henrich, J. F., Miedzobrodzka, E. J., Wohlstetter, B., Giebels, E., Meynen, G., Kruisbergen, E. W., Kempes, M., Olff, M. & de Kogel, C. H.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12103-023-09746-4Feeling Powerless and Finding Support: Dynamics of Power Perceptions and Empowering Interventions in Legal Conflicts (2024)[Thesis › PhD Thesis - Research UT, graduation UT]. University of Twente. van Dijk, M. A. J.https://doi.org/10.3990/1.9789036559966Strategic adaptability in negotiation: a framework to distinguish strategic adaptable behaviors (2024)International journal of conflict management, 35(2), 245-269. Heunis, H., Pulles, N. J., Giebels, E., Kollöffel, B. & Sigurdardottir, A. G.https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-02-2023-0028Decoding ransomware negotiations: Decoding ransomware negotiations (2024)[Contribution to conference › Poster] 37th Annual Conference of the IACM 2024. Georgiou, M., Giebels, E., Oostinga, M. S. D. & Spithoven, R.

2023

Eye spy a lie: An eye-tracking study into gaze behaviour and receiving lies (2023)[Contribution to conference › Abstract] Decepticon 2023. Slijkhuis, P. J. H., Watson, S. J., Stel, M. & Giebels, E.Power Asymmetry and Early Intervention in Divorce (2023)Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 29(3), 383-401. van Dijk, M. A. J., Zebel, S. & Giebels, E.https://doi.org/10.1037/law0000376Towards Resilient Negotiation with Ransomware Criminals (2023)[Contribution to conference › Poster] 36th Annual Conference of the IACM 2023. Georgiou, M., Giebels, E., Oostinga, M. S. D. & Spithoven, R.

2022

Is Computer-based Communication A Valuable Addition to Victim-offender Mediation? A Qualitative Exploration among Victims, Offenders and Mediators (2022)Victims and Offenders, 17(8), 1173-1195. Bonensteffen, F., Zebel, S. & Giebels, E.https://doi.org/10.1080/15564886.2021.2020946Urgent issues and prospects at the intersection of culture, memory, and witness interviews: Exploring the challenges for research and practice (2022)Legal and criminological psychology, 27(1), 1-31. Hope, L., Anakwah, N., Antfolk, J., Brubacher, S. P., Flowe, H., Gabbert, F., Giebels, E., Kanja, W., Korkman, J., Kyo, A., Naka, M., Otgaar, H., Powell, M. B., Selim, H., Skrifvars, J., Sorkpah, I. K., Sowatey, E. A., Steele, L. C., Stevens, L., … Wells, S.https://doi.org/10.1111/lcrp.12202

2021

De beheerslast van vreemdelingen in bewaring in detentiecentrum Rotterdam: Beschrijving en duiding van de periode 2015-2019 (2021)[Book/Report › Report]. University of Twente. Zebel, S., Stel, M., Haandrikman, M., Hadaschik, J. & Giebels, E.https://repository.wodc.nl/handle/20.500.12832/3151Eyes in the skies: Exploring the effects of social presence cues on undesired and pro-social behaviour (2021)[Thesis › PhD Thesis - Research UT, graduation UT]. University of Twente. Jansen, A. M.https://doi.org/10.3990/1.9789464191141

2020

The key to risk communication success: The longitudinal effect of risk message repetition on actual self-protective behavior of primary school children (2020)Journal of risk research, 23(12), 1525-1540. Kievik, M., Giebels, E. & Gutteling, J. M.https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2020.1738527Corrigendum: Sincerity Is in the Eye of the Beholder: Using Eye Tracking to Understand How Victims Interpret an Offender’s Apology in a Simulation of Victim–Offender Mediation (Frontiers in Psychology, (2020), 11, (835), 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00835) (2020)Frontiers in psychology, 11. Article 1943. Bonensteffen, F., Zebel, S. & Giebels, E.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01943Sincerity Is in the Eye of the Beholder: Using Eye Tracking to Understand How Victims Interpret an Offender’s Apology in a Simulation of Victim–Offender Mediation (2020)Frontiers in psychology, 11. Article 835. Bonensteffen, F., Zebel, S. & Giebels, E.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00835

Other contributions

Other publications (selection)

Research profiles

Projects (PhD)

  • Caroline Koetsenruijter - Evidence-based action perspectives on verbal aggression against civil servants in a customer contact role. Co-supervisors: prof.dr. Sven Zebel (UT/VU). Defense expected in 2029.
  • Jedidjah Schaaij - Intelligence led policing with a database of crisis negotiation incidents. Co-supervisor: dr. Miriam Oostinga (UT). Project in cooperation with police negotiation practitioners, the Police Academy and the UK police (Lou Provart Msc). Defense expected in 2027.
  • Michalis Georgiou- TORN- Towards resilient negotiating with ransomware criminals. Co-supervisors: dr. Miriam Oostinga (UT) & dr. Remco Spithoven (Saxion University of applied sciences). This project is part of the research program of the Centre for Security and Digitization.https://www.cvdnederland.nl/. Defense expected in 2027.
  • Henrike Heunis -Enabling strategic adaptability in negotiation  - A reflective method to improve skill-based learning. Co-supervisors: dr. Niels Pulles, dr. Bas Kollofel (both UT) and dr. Aldis Sigurdardottir (University of Reykjavik). Defense expected in 2026.
  • Peter Slijkhuis - deception: eyetracking, indirect assessment, reviever perspective. Co-supervisor: dr. Marielle Stel and dr. Steven Watson (both UT). Defense expected in 2025.
  • Bas Boing - Discussing the elephant in the room: police officers and ethnic profiling debate. Co-supervisor: dr. Peter de Vries (UT). Defense expected in 2025.
  • Florian Bonensteffen - Developing a tool for online victim-offender mediation. Co-supervisors:  prof.dr. Sven Zebel (UT/VU). Defense expected in 2025.
  • Marian van Dijk - Early triage by Internet in societal conflicts. Successfully defended on March 8 2024. Co-supervisor: prof.dr. Sven Zebel (UT/VU).
  • Anja Jansen - Eyes in the skies: exploring the effects of social presence cues on undesired and prosocial behavior. Successfully defended on 29 January 2021. Co-supervisor: dr. Thomas van Rompay (UT) and prof.dr. Marianne Junger (UT).
  • Wendy Scheurs – Crossing lines together- how and why citizens participate in the police domain. Co-supervisor: prof. dr. Jose Kerstholt (UT/TNO) and dr. Peter de Vries (UT). Successfully defended on 1 November 2019.
  • Marije Bakker – Turning crisis into opportunity. Co-supervisors:  dr. Marco van Bommel (UT) and prof. dr. Jose Kerstholt (UT/TNO). Successfully defended on 5 April 2018.
  • Miriam Oostinga - Breaking the ice. Error management in law enforcement interactions. Co-supervisor: prof.dr. Paul J. Taylor (University of Lancaster and UT). Successfully defended on 29 March 2018.
  • Milou Kievik - The time of telling tales. The determinants of effective risk communication. Successfully defended on 16 November 2017. Co-supervisor: dr. Jan Gutteling (UT).
  • Moritz Romer - None of my business? Leaders as third parties in employee' conflict. Succesfully defended on 5 July 2017 (KU Leuven). Co-supervisors: dr. Sonja Rispens (Eindhoven University of Technology) and prof. dr. Martin Euwema (KULeuven).
  • Femke Hilverda - Making sense of food risk information: The case of organic food.Succesfully defended on 28 February 2017. Co-supervisor: dr. Margot Kuttschreuter (UT).
  • Miriam de Graaff - Moral Forces: interpreting ethical challenges in military operations. Succesfully defended on 12 January 2017. Co-supervisor: prof.dr. Desiree Verweij (Netherlands Defense Academy).
  • Sabine Ströfer - Deceptive intent: Physiological reactions in different interpersonal contexts. Successfully defended on 18 February 2016. Co-supervisors: dr. Elze Ufkes and dr. Matthijs Noordzij (both UT).
  • Kim van Erp- When Worlds Collide: The Role of Justice, Conflict and Personality for Expatriate Couples’ Adjustment. Successfully defended on 20 January 2011. Co-supervisors: prof.dr. Karen van Oudenhoven-van der Zee and dr. Marijtje van Duijn (both University of Groningen).
  • Elze Ufkes - Neighbor-to-neighbor conflicts in multicultural neighborhoods.Successfully defended on 6 January 2011. Co-supervisors: prof.dr. Sabine Otten and prof.dr. Karen van Oudenhoven-van der Zee (both University of Groningen).
  • Karlijn Beune - Talking heads. Interviewing suspects from a cultural perspective. Successfully defended on 1 October 2009 (distinction: cum laude).

The media has paid attention to my scientific work, which appeared in e.g.: Research Digest, New Scientist, NRC Handelsblad, Volkskrant, Trouw, Nederlands Dagblad, Dagblad van het Noorden, Gelderse Courant, Algemeen Dagblad, ADR magazine, Recherchemagazine, Intermediair, 7Days, Kuwait Times, Le Devoir, penoactueel, Forum voor conflictmanagement, Nationale zorggids, MT management team, Tijdschrift conflicthantering, Tubantia, Libelle, BN De Stem, De Stentor, Dagblad van het Noorden.

Following the publication of our report on the social safety climate in the Military, I was interviewed by the NOS NEWS, RTLNews, Hart van Nederland (TV) and NPO and BNR (Radio).

In February 2023, our NWO project on COVID-19 pandemic affecting societal safety in terms of crime figures featured in the Volkskrant.

In the press

Interviews & podcasts (recent/Dutch)

Interview over de psychologische effecten van een ontvoering voor Sprekend RD. 

Volkskrant interview over het verkeerde gebruik van de term Stockholmsyndroom.

Podcast interview kun je bevriend raken met je ontvoerder voor Universiteit van Nederland.

Radio interview voor 'met het oog op morgen' over de oorsprong van het Stockholmsyndroom.

Video podcast voor Universiteit van Nederland over onderhandelstrategieën bij gijzelingen en ontvoeringen: de Tafel van Tien.  

NRC artikel over wetenschappelijke lessen voor oorlogsonderhandelaars (met Beatrice de Graaf, Kees van den Bos en Paul van Lange).

Radio interview De Wereld van Sofie over het Stockholmsyndroom.

Interview met rector Thom Palstra over wetenschappelijke integriteit en sociale veiligheid

Interview met Jacquelien van Stekelenburg (VU) over de VU-UT Impactcoalitie Creating Secure Societies

News on utwente.nl

https://www.utwente.nl/en/news/2024/3/1423600/gravitation-grant-for-multidisciplinary-team-to-investigate-adaptability-of-societies-in-crises

https://www.utwente.nl/en/news/2021/6/1081400/demissionary-minister-ingrid-van-engelshoven-visits-theatre-experience-mindlab-online

https://www.utwente.nl/en/news/2012/2/235697/prof.-dr.-ellen-giebels-winner-of-2012-jeffrey-z.-rubin-theory-to-practice-award

https://www.utwente.nl/nieuws/2023/3/524150/zo-onderhandel-je-met-criminelen...-en-kleuters

Address

University of Twente

Cubicus (building no. 41), room C243B
De Zul 10
7522 NJ Enschede
Netherlands

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University of Twente

Capitool 15 (building no. 78), room 126
Capitool 15
7521 PL Enschede
Netherlands

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