Thabo van Woudenberg

Thabo van Woudenberg

Post-doc Researcher/Scientific coordinator

Erasmus University

Biography

Dr. Thabo van Woudenberg is an academic researcher interested in social (network) influences on positive behaviors in young people. For example, he is interested in how the behavior of peers shape behaviors related to health, well-being or environment. In his research, he uses social network modeling and mixed-effect models to study how behaviors spread within youth’s social networks and how influential individuals can help peers in obtaining and preserving a positive lifestyle.

  • Currently, Thabo is a post-doc research and coordinator of the NWO Vici financed SocialMovez-project at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The SocialMovez-project investigates how health campaigns for young people can be spread more effectively through peer influencers in online social networks. Using innovative technologies in the field of data analysis, this research demonstrates that one can optimize online (health) campaigns without compromising the privacy of young people. More specifically, Thabo investigates in what way health related behaviors can spread online, and which individuals are important to target in online interventions.

  • Before this position, Thabo investigated the role of (offline) social networks in classrooms in promoting physical activity of adolescents and was part of the MyMovez research team. His work is combined in the dissertation, which he defended successfully (with honors/cum laude) in January 2020.

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Interests

  • Social Networks
  • Social Influence
  • Environmental Behaviors
  • Health
  • Well-Being
  • Youth
  • Interventions/ RCTs
  • Mixed Methods

Education

  • PhD in Behavioural Science, 2020

    Radboud University, the Netherlands

  • Msc in Psychology, 2014

    Radboud University, the Netherlands

  • BSc in Communication Science, 2012

    Radboud University, the Netherlands

Projects

Past and present projects in which I am involved

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Covid-19 Projects

This project is a collaboration with the RIVM and the SyncLab

SocialMovez Project

SocialMovez investigates online social network campaigns.

MyMovez Project

MyMovez investigates social network interventions to promote healthy lifestyles in youth.

VR Projects

These projects studied experiences in virtual environments.

Publications

The five most recent publications

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Experience

 
 
 
 
 

Postdoctoral Researcher

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Feb 2020 – Present Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Tasks included:

  • Investigating strategic network positions in online social networks
  • Scientific coordination or the NWO Vici project SocialMovez
  • Supervision of PhD and master students
 
 
 
 
 

PhD Student

Radboud University

Feb 2016 – Jul 2020 Nijmegen, the Netherlands

Tasks included:

  • Investigating social (network) influences in youths' physical activity
  • teacher in several courses
  • Supervision of bachelor and master students
 
 
 
 
 

Research Assistant

Radboud University

Sep 2015 – Jan 2016 Nijmegen, the Netherlands

Tasks included:

  • Prep work for the ERC funded project MyMovez
 
 
 
 
 

Research Master Student

Radboud University

Sep 2013 – Aug 2015 Nijmegen, the Netherlands

Thesis:

  • Feeling or presence in virtual environments
  • Promoting advertising resistance by self persuasion

Awards & Grants

Compute Call 2021

Dragon’s Den Seed Grant 2021

The Dutch Data Incentive Prize

Data Champion Award

Best Paper Award (Second prize)

Contact

  • Burgemeester Oudlaan 50
    3062 PA Rotterdam
  • Mandeville Building (T), 19.16
  • DM Me