My name is Dr. Elise van der Mark. I am a Dutch anthropologist specialized in social development through qualitative research, participatory action research and projectmanagement. Currently, I am a research advisor within the Policy, Democracy and Participation team at Ipsos I&O Public as well as teamlead of the Qualitative Methodology team. 

​For the past 18 years I have been conducting research and managing projects on social development in Zimbabwe, South Africa and the Netherlands. Themes that interest me are:  women empowerment, migration, education, disability & care, gender equality, poverty, public participation, inclusive access to healthcare, and the use of arts and culture for wellbeing. One aspect of my work that I thoroughly enjoy is the interaction with the people I work for and with. To connect, discuss, explore and learn with each other, in order to foster (social) change. 

Besides travelling with my partner and 7-year old twins,  I love spending time outdoors, read books, practice yoga, play the piano and harmonica and do an occasional (belly or salsa) dance.