prof.dr. E. Giebels (Ellen)

I am a social 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
Crime, coping and resilience
Social context of risk

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.

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.

Additional roles/appointments

2019- 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

Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences (BMS), Psychology of Conflict, Risk and Safety (PCRS)

Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam
Raad van Toezicht
LOWI (on behalf of NWO)
Raad van Advies
TNO Defensie & Veiligheid
Lid Strategische Adviesraad

van Dijk, M. A. J. , Zebel, S. , & Giebels, E. (2023). Power Asymmetry and Early Intervention in Divorce. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law. https://doi.org/10.1037/law0000376

Bonensteffen, F. , Zebel, S. , & Giebels, E. (2022). Is Computer-based Communication A Valuable Addition to Victim-offender Mediation? A Qualitative Exploration among Victims, Offenders and Mediators. Victims and Offenders, 17(8), 1173-1195. https://doi.org/10.1080/15564886.2021.2020946

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. (2022). Urgent issues and prospects at the intersection of culture, memory, and witness interviews: Exploring the challenges for research and practice. Legal and criminological psychology, 27(1), 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1111/lcrp.12202

Zebel, S. , Stel, M. , Haandrikman, M. , Hadaschik, J. , & Giebels, E. (2021). De beheerslast van vreemdelingen in bewaring in detentiecentrum Rotterdam: Beschrijving en duiding van de periode 2015-2019. (WODC rapport; No. 3048). University of Twente. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12832/3151

Jansen, A. M. (2021). Eyes in the skies: Exploring the effects of social presence cues on undesired and pro-social behaviour. [PhD Thesis - Research UT, graduation UT, University of Twente]. University of Twente. https://doi.org/10.3990/1.9789464191141

van 't Klooster, J-W. , Giebels, E. , Slijkhuis, P. J. H. , Langener, S., Nijen Es, L. , Beerlage-de Jong, N. , & van Gemert-Pijnen, L. (2020). Research on the road using the ExperiVan. In Supporting Health by Technology: Supporting Health by Technology International Conference 11-6-2020: Abstract book (pp. 44-44). University of Twente.

Bonensteffen, F. , Zebel, S. , & Giebels, E. (2020). Corrigendum: 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). Frontiers in psychology, 11, [1943]. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01943, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01943

de Graaff, M. C. , Giebels, E., & Verweij, D. E. M. (2020). On moral grounds: Moral identity and moral disengagement in relation to military deployment. Military Psychology, 32(4), 363-375. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2020.1774321

Bonensteffen, F. , Zebel, S. , & Giebels, E. (2020). 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, 11, [835]. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00835

Kievik, M. , Giebels, E. , & Gutteling, J. M. (2020). The key to risk communication success: The longitudinal effect of risk message repetition on actual self-protective behavior of primary school children. Journal of risk research, 23(12), 1525-1540. https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2020.1738527

Schreurs, W., Franjkic, N. , Kerstholt, J. H. , de Vries, P. W. , & Giebels, E. (2020). Why do citizens become a member of an online neighbourhood watch? A case study in The Netherlands. Police Practice and Research, 21(6), 687-701. https://doi.org/10.1080/15614263.2020.1712202

Oostinga, M. S. D. , Giebels, E. , & Taylor, P. J. (2020). Communication Error Management in Law Enforcement Interactions: A Sender’s Perspective. Criminal justice and behavior, 47(1), 39-60. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854819870856

Schreurs, W. , Kerstholt, J. H. , de Vries, P. W. , & Giebels, E. (2019). Community Resilience and Crime Prevention: Applying the Community Engagement Theory to the Risk of Crime. Journal of integrated disaster risk management, 9(2), 70-88. https://doi.org/10.5595/idrim.2019.0359

Schreurs, W. (2019). Crossing lines together: how and why citizens participate in the police domain. [PhD Thesis - Research UT, graduation UT, University of Twente]. University of Twente. https://doi.org/10.3990/1.9789036548496

Bakker, M. H. , van Bommel, M. , Kerstholt, J. H. , & Giebels, E. (2019). The interplay between governmental communications and fellow citizens’ reactions via twitter: Experimental results of a theoretical crisis in the Netherlands. Journal of contingencies and crisis management, 27(3), 265-271. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-5973.12252

Bakker, M. H. , Kerstholt, J. H. , van Bommel, M. , & Giebels, E. (2019). Decision-making during a crisis: the interplay of narratives and statistical information before and after crisis communication. Journal of risk research, 22(11), 1409-1424. https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2018.1473464

de Graaff, M. , Giebels, E., Meijer, D. J. W., & Verweij, D. E. M. (2019). Sensemaking in Military Critical Incidents: The Impact of Moral Intensity. Business & society, 58(4), 749-778. https://doi.org/10.1177/0007650316680996

Jansen, A. M. , Giebels, E. , van Rompay, T. J. L. , & Junger, M. (2018). The influence of the presentation of camera surveillance on cheating and pro-social behavior. Frontiers in psychology, 9(OCT), [1937]. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01937

Hilverda, F. , Kuttschreuter, M. , & Giebels, E. (2018). The Effect of Online Social Proof regarding Organic Food: Comments and Likes on Facebook. Frontiers in Communication, 3, [00030]. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2018.00030

Bakker, M. H. (2018). Turning crisis into opportunity: the influence of government and social environment. [PhD Thesis - Research UT, graduation UT, University of Twente]. University of Twente. https://doi.org/10.3990/1.9789036544948

Schreurs, W. , Kerstholt, J. H. , de Vries, P. W. , & Giebels, E. (2018). Citizen participation in the police domain: The role of citizens' attitude and morality. Journal of Community Psychology, 46(6), 775-789. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.21972

Bakker, M. H. , van Bommel, M. , Kerstholt, J. H. , & Giebels, E. (2018). The influence of accountability for the crisis and type of crisis communication on people's behavior, feelings and relationship with the government. Public relations review, 44(2), 277-286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2018.02.004

Oostinga, M. S. D. (2018). Breaking (the) ice: communication error management in law enforcement interactions. [PhD Thesis - Research UT, graduation UT, University of Twente]. University of Twente. https://doi.org/10.3990/1.9789036544931

Oostinga, M. , Giebels, E. , & Taylor, P. J. (2018). Communication Error Management in Law Enforcement Interactions: a receiver's perspective. Psychology, crime & law, 24(2), 134-155. https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2017.1390112

Kievik, M. , Misana-ter Huurne, E. F. J. , Gutteling, J. M. , & Giebels, E. (2018). Making it stick: Exploring the effects of information and behavioral training on self-protectiveness of citizens in a real-life safety setting. Safety science, 101, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2017.08.007

Other publications (selection)

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Bachelor

Psychology

Master

Courses in the current academic year are added at the moment they are finalised in the Osiris system. Therefore it is possible that the list is not yet complete for the whole academic year.

Projects (PhD)

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). Defence expected in 2026/2027.

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/. Defence expected in 2026/2027.

Henrike Fitchen -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). Defence expected in 2025/2026.

Bas Boing - Discussing the elephant in the room: police officers and ethnic profiling debate. Co-supervisor: dr. Peter de Vries (UT). Defence expected 2024.

Peter Slijkhuis - discrepancies between subjective and objective methods in deception research. Co-supervisor: dr. Marielle Stel and dr. Steven Watson (both UT). Defence expected in 2024.

Florian Bonensteffen - Developing a tool for online victim-offender mediation. Co-supervisors: prof.dr. Sven Zebel (UT/VU). Defence expected in 2023.

Marian van Dijk - Early triage by Internet in societal conflicts. Defence expected in 2023. 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).

Interviews & podcasts (recent/Dutch)

NRC artikel 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

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

+31534896051

e.giebels@utwente.nl

Visiting Address

University of Twente
Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Cubicus (building no. 41), room C243B
De Zul 10
7522NJ Enschede
The Netherlands

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Mailing Address

University of Twente
Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Cubicus C243B
P.O. Box 217
7500 AE Enschede
The Netherlands

Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences (BMS), Psychology of Conflict, Risk and Safety (PCRS)

Management assistant: Lorette Bosch-Padberg

+31 53 489 3616

University of Twente Drienerlolaan 5
7522 NB Enschede

+31 (0)53 489 9111
info@utwente.nl
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