Who We Are

Expert Financial consultant

Ralph Sleijpen

Ralph Sleijpen is Financial consultant at UNU-MERIT

Expert Researcher

Raf Sluismans

Raf joined MERIT as a research fellow in February of 2000.

Expert Executive Co-Director, UNU Hub on Engineering to Face Climate Change

Professor Irina Smirnova is a distinguished chemical engineer and academic leader . Her research focuses on sustainable process engineering, particularly in the development of bio-based materials and green technologies.

Expert Professorial Fellow

Stefaan Smis

Stefaan Smis has collaborated with UNU-CRIS for many years focusing his work on regional integration in Africa.

Expert Outreach and Partnership Assistant

William Smyth

Mr. William Smyth is an Outreach and Partnership Assistant with experience in advancing the fundamental rights of Indigenous peoples, stakeholder engagement, and community service.

Expert Director of UNU-EGOV

Dr. Delfina Soares

Dr. Delfina Soares is the Director (D1) of the United Nations University Operating Unit on Policy-Driven Electronic Governance (UNU-EGOV) since 2015.

Expert Emeritus Professor

Prof. Dr. Luc Soete

Until September 2016 Luc Soete (15 September 1950, Brussels) was Rector Magnificus of Maastricht University. Before that he was Director of the United Nations University research and training institute: UNU-MERIT located in Maastricht, The Netherlands and Professor of International Economic Relations and Director-Dean of the Maastricht Graduate School of Governance (MGSoG) at Maastricht University. He is a member of the Advisory Council for Science and Technology Policy (AWT) and the Royal Dutch Academy of Science (KNAW).

Expert Student Assistant

Katyayini Sood

Katyayini is a young climate enthusiast willing to contribute in the fields of climate change and disaster risk reduction.

Expert Team Lead, MCII Climate Risk Analytics Team

Dr. Maxime Souvignet

Dr. Maxime Souvignet is the Climate Risk Analytics Team Lead and a senior scientist at UNU-EHS. His expertise ranges from climate risk modelling, climate risk insurance, disaster risk management and climate adaptation.

Expert Senior Research Associate

Edward Sparkes

Edward’s multi-disciplinary research expertise covers complex risk analysis, pathways approaches for risk management and adaptation, and monitoring, evaluation and learning. He is passionate about transboundary knowledge co-creation and concept development.