prof.dr. E. Giebels (Ellen)

Full Professor
BMS-HIB-PCRS
Capitool 15 126
e.giebels@utwente.nl
+31534896051
Business card

Ellen Giebels has been Professor of Social Psychology of Conflict and Security at the University of Twente since 2009. Her research focuses on how individuals and teams deal with conflict, tension and threat, and on the (technological) methods and interventions that can be applied in high-stakes situations.

After a PhD in business negotiations (University of Groningen, 1999), much of her current research, teaching, and advisory work takes place within the safety and security domain. In 2012, she received the Rubin Theory-to-Practice Award for her work on hostage negotiations and other high-stakes conflicts. This award is sponsored by the International Association for Conflict Management (IACM) and the Harvard University Program on Negotiation.

In addition to her administrative roles, including Vice Dean of Research and supervisory positions, she was a member of the research team that conducted the official evaluation of the Dutch government’s response to the MH17 disaster in 2015. In 2017–2018, she chaired an independent committee, commissioned by the State Secretary of Defence, which investigated the social safety climate within the military.

Together with Martin Euwema, she wrote the leading textbook Conflict Management and Mediation, published in English by Edward Elgar (2024). 

Ellen Giebels is a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science and a member of the Social Sciences Council of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). She is also a member of the Scientific Advisory Council for the Dutch police.

Currently, she is one of the principal investigators in a ten-year research program funded by NWO, in which historians, public administration scholars, psychologists, and philosophers collaborate to examine how societies can better cope with crises: Adapt!

Organisations

Ancillary activities

  • Dutch PoliceWetenschappelijke Adviesraad Politie
  • LOWIRaad van Advies LOWI (namens NWO)
  • Erasmus University RotterdamRaad van Toezicht/Supervisory Board
  • KNAWLid Sociaal-Wetenschappelijke Raad

Publications

Jump to: 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021

2026

Engaging with cybercriminals: phases and influence strategies in ransomware negotiations (2026)Computers in human behavior, 181. Article 108953 (E-pub ahead of print/First online). Georgiou, M., Giebels, E., Oostinga, M. S. D. & Spithoven, R.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2026.108953Unmasking Deception: Examining Receivers’ Emotional Responses with Automated Facial Expression Analysis in Veracity and Valence (2026)Journal of Nonverbal Behavior (E-pub ahead of print/First online). Slijkhuis, P. J. H., Watson, S. J., Förster, H., Stel, M. & Giebels, E.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10919-026-00506-6Development of a crisis Negotiation Database in The Netherlands: insights for implementing intelligence-led policing systems (2026)Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism (E-pub ahead of print/First online). Schaaij, J. G., Oostinga, M. S. D. & Giebels, E.https://doi.org/10.1080/18335330.2026.2614339

2025

Pixels of reconciliation: The potential of digital encounters in victim-offender mediation (2025)[Thesis › PhD Thesis - Research UT, graduation UT]. University of Twente. Bonensteffen, F.https://doi.org/10.3990/1.9789036570046Discussing the elephant in the room: Addressing ethnic profiling with virtual reality in police training (2025)[Thesis › PhD Thesis - Research UT, graduation UT]. University of Twente. Böing, B. S.https://doi.org/10.3990/1.9789036569361Unmasking Deception: Examining Receivers' Emotional Responses with Automated Facial Expression Analysis in Veracity and Valence (2025)[Working paper › Preprint]. Research Square Publications. Slijkhuis, P. J. H., Watson, S. J., Förster, H., Stel, M. & Giebels, E.https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7806944/v1Creating controversy: developing a virtual reality training tool with 360° film to engage in ethnic profiling reform (2025)Frontiers in Virtual Reality, 6. Article 1451206. Böing, B., De Vries, P. W. & Giebels, E.https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2025.1451206Gaze 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/s11896-025-09749-3Strategic adaptability negotiation training in purchasing and supply management: A multi-method instructional approach (2025)Journal of purchasing and supply management, 31(2). Article 100968. Heunis, H., Pulles, N. J., Giebels, E., Kollöffel, B. & Sigurdardottir, A. G.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pursup.2024.100968

2024

The 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/20.500.12832/3151

Other contributions

Other publications (selection)

Research profiles

Projects (PhD)

  • Marouscha Scheffer - Trust building strategies in societal crisis dynamics. Co-supervisors: dr. Shenja van der Graaf (UU), prof.dr. Jacquelien van Stekelenburg (VU) and prof.dr. Kees van den Bos (UU). This PhD is part of the Adapt! program. Defence expected in 2030.
  • 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.
  • Peter Slijkhuis - deception: eyetracking, indirect assessment, reviever perspective. Co-supervisor: dr. Marielle Stel and dr. Steven Watson (both UT). Defense provisionally planned for 30 June 2026.
  • Henrike Heunis - Strategic adaptability in negotiation. Co-supervisors: dr. Niels Pulles  and dr. Aldis Sigurdardottir (University of Reykjavik). Defense planned for 19 May 2026.
  • Florian Bonensteffen - Pixels of reconciliation. The potential of digital encounters in victim-offender mediation. Co-supervisors:  prof.dr. Sven Zebel (UT/VU) and prof.dr. Marielle Stoelinga (UT). Succesfully defended on 5 December 2025.
  • Bas Boing - Discussing the elephant in the room: Adressing ethnic profiling with virtual reality in police training. Co-supervisor: dr. Peter de Vries (UT). Succesfully defended on 13 November 2025. 
  • Marian van Dijk - Felling powerless and finding support: dynamics of power perceptions and empowering interventions in legal conflicts.  Co-supervisor: prof.dr. Sven Zebel (UT/VU). Successfully defended on 8 March  2024.
  • Anja Jansen - Eyes in the skies: exploring the effects of social presence cues on undesired and prosocial behavior. Co-supervisor: dr. Thomas van Rompay (UT) and prof.dr. Marianne Junger (UT). Successfully defended on 29 January 2021. 
  • 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.Co-supervisor: dr. Jan Gutteling (UT). Successfully defended on 16 November 2017. 
  • Moritz Romer - None of my business? Leaders as third parties in employee' conflict. Co-supervisors: dr. Sonja Rispens (Eindhoven University of Technology) and prof. dr. Martin Euwema (KULeuven). Succesfully defended on 5 July 2017 (KU Leuven).
  • Femke Hilverda - Making sense of food risk information: The case of organic food.Co-supervisor: dr. Margot Kuttschreuter (UT). Succesfully defended on 28 February 2017.
  • Miriam de Graaff - Moral Forces: interpreting ethical challenges in military operations.  Co-supervisor: prof.dr. Desiree Verweij (Netherlands Defense Academy). Succesfully defended on 12 January 2017. 
  • Sabine Ströfer - Deceptive intent: Physiological reactions in different interpersonal contexts. Co-supervisors: dr. Elze Ufkes and dr. Matthijs Noordzij (both UT). Successfully defended on 18 February 2016.
  • Kim van Erp- When Worlds Collide: The Role of Justice, Conflict and Personality for Expatriate Couples’ Adjustment. Co-supervisors: prof.dr. Karen van Oudenhoven-van der Zee and dr. Marijtje van Duijn (both University of Groningen). Successfully defended on 20 January 2011.
  • Elze Ufkes - Neighbor-to-neighbor conflicts in multicultural neighborhoods. Co-supervisors: prof.dr. Sabine Otten and prof.dr. Karen van Oudenhoven-van der Zee (both University of Groningen). Successfully defended on 6 January 2011.
  • 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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