Why do networks fail and what can we do to reverse this process? Dr Liliya Terzieva lecture.

Posted on by Renee

As part of the International Week for the BFM students at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, we recently had the wonderful opportunity to listen in to a series of lectures. On 30 January 2024, Dr Liliya Terzieva gave a really interesting lecture about Why do networks fail and what can we do to reverse … Continue reading Why do networks fail and what can we do to reverse this process? Dr Liliya Terzieva lecture.

Reflections from the 2023 THUAS Workplace Pride Event

Posted on by Renee

On 7 December 2023, I attended an inspiring event at The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS) that brought together educators, students, advocates, and community leaders to explore inclusion, safety, and belonging in professional spaces. Held the day before Purple Friday, this Workplace Pride event sparked rich conversations around solidarity, allyship, and representation — values … Continue reading Reflections from the 2023 THUAS Workplace Pride Event

Volunteer The Hague Mix & Match Fair

Posted on by Renee

Volunteer The Hague offer a great opportunity a couple of times a year for those looking for opportunities to volunteer with not for profit organisations in The Hague, in English. At this edition on Saturday 18 November, 2023, I was one of the keynote speakers, and gave a half hour presentation on "LinkedIn" Top tips … Continue reading Volunteer The Hague Mix & Match Fair

Global School for Entrepreneurship – DEI Guest Lecture

Posted on by Renee

On Thursday 12 October 2023, it was great to have the opportunity to give a guest lecture at the Global School for Entrepreneurship in Amsterdam. I learned about this University of Applied Sciences when I attended a press event earlier in the year for the opening of the Titaan building in The Hague. Their Amsterdam … Continue reading Global School for Entrepreneurship – DEI Guest Lecture

2023 Rise and Lead Summit The Hague

Posted on by Renee

The 6th Rise & Lead Summit Europe 2023 will be held on September 14 & 15, 2023, at the NH Hotel in The Hague. Rise & Lead Women is an international non-profit organisation based in The Hague that advances gender-balanced leadership and inclusion in the workplace. Through their cross-industry insights, advocacy for change, and leadership … Continue reading 2023 Rise and Lead Summit The Hague

Stepping down as Chairperson of Delft MaMa: some highlights and leadership lessons learned

Posted on by Renee

I've had the pleasure of leading the fabulous team of volunteers at Delft MaMa over the last 18 months. Since I was pregnant in 2007 with my first child, Delft MaMa has been a huge support to me and my family. Back then, I was briefly one of the original board members of this not … Continue reading Stepping down as Chairperson of Delft MaMa: some highlights and leadership lessons learned

A critical lens on inclusive internationalisation

Posted on by Renee

On 22 June 2023, I attended this workshop for higher education lecturers at the Hogeschool Rotterdam. Internationalisation is a topic that has held my interest for some time, though it's one of those concepts that you can't really completely grasp, or define completely. In fact, one of the first activities we did was really interesting, … Continue reading A critical lens on inclusive internationalisation

Breathing Workshop: Oxygen Advantage

Posted on by Renee

Breathing is something that we all do every single minute of every single day - and yet, I feel I do not do it well. Over the years, I've tried various methods and techniques to improve this via doctors, yoga, physio, logopedie and more. This is the first time I've spent several hours on it specifically though, … Continue reading Breathing Workshop: Oxygen Advantage

Creating social safety as a university lecturer

Posted on by Renee

As a university lecturer, in International Business at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, one of the many tasks we perform alongside teaching is creating/maintaining social and psychological safety in the classroom. It was great to have the chance to shine a spotlight on this at our staff day on 13 June 2023. Thank you to … Continue reading Creating social safety as a university lecturer

Embracing Diversities

Posted on by Renee

I have launched a new Instagram account dedicated to diversities. I've specifically chosen the word "diversities" in place of diversity to represent the very many aspects such as: Gender Race Sexual orientation Culture Religion Skin, Eye, Hair Colour and other aspects of appearance Neurodiversity I've taught intercultural communication and intercultural competence for some time. I … Continue reading Embracing Diversities

2022 MBO College Airport & Amstellaan Week of the World

Posted on by Renee

On 16 November 2022, I gave two presentations on Intercultural Communication. The first was at MBO College Airport in Hoofdorp, the Netherlands, not far from Schiphol Airport: It was a fun campus to visit. The second presentation was at MBO College Amstellaan, a short drive away. I was invited by Luisa Prando, Manager of Internationalisation … Continue reading 2022 MBO College Airport & Amstellaan Week of the World

2022 (October) TU Delft Building your Network in the Netherlands workshop

Posted on by Renee

A few times a year, I have the fabulous opportunity to meet PhD's and their partners at TU Delft to help them settle into life here in the Netherlands. This is offered by the Coming to Delft service. It's always a very international group, and I lead them through a workshop with tips and tricks … Continue reading 2022 (October) TU Delft Building your Network in the Netherlands workshop

2022 Neuroemergence Virtual Conference

Posted on by Renee

Neuroemergence virtual conference 2022 Neuroemergence is a virtual gathering space for neurodivergents and allies to come together, share stories, learn from each other, get inspired and convene as a community.  The international NeuroEmergence event has grown out of the want for people to be able to come together and help build a more neurodivergent friendly … Continue reading 2022 Neuroemergence Virtual Conference

Welcome to the Zestee Blog

Posted on by Renee

Welcome to the Zestee blog - this is portfolio of my work as well as a a treasure trove of more than 15 years of my favourite topics, articles, resources, book reviews, summaries of events I've been to and more.  You can navigate by scrolling, or via the category and archive dropdowns in the sidebar … Continue reading Welcome to the Zestee Blog