Wouter Van Rossem 🗣️ /ʋʌutər/ | 🇰🇷 워우터

University of Twente

Biography

Wouter Van Rossem is a researcher on the intersection between social science and computer science. He previously worked on the European Research Council (ERC) funded project, Processing Citizenship, where he investigated how data infrastructures for population processing co-produce citizens, Europe, and territory. He completed his PhD at the University of Twente in the Netherlands and is still working on publications stemming from these impactful projects.

In addition to his academic pursuits as a PhD at the University of Twente in the Netherlands, he brings a diverse background as a software engineer, having worked in various companies and at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre in Italy. His diverse background, spanning both theoretical and hands-on knowledge, reflects his keen interest in exploring the intricate interconnections between technology and society.

Interests

Intersections between IT (big data, AI, ML) and societal impacts.
Mutual shaping of IT, organizations, and work through user-design relations.
Bureaucracies and interoperability within government systems.
Digital methods in social science research.
Identification systems, digital identity, surveillance, and security.

Education

PhD in Science, Technology, and Policy Studies, 2018 – 2024
University of Twente
Postgraduate programme in Science, Technology, and Policy Studies (STS), 2022
Netherlands Graduate Research School of Science, Technology and Modern Culture (WTMC)
MsC in Business Administration, 2013
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
MsC in Applied Computer Science, 2012
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
BSc in Computer Science, 2011
Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Skills

Technical

Back-end software development (Java EE, Node.js)

Demonstrated proficiency in developing business-grade software applications, complemented by an aptitude for collaborative teamwork and adaptability in utilizing appropriate tools and methodologies.

Data and softare modeling and design

Extensive background and interest in data modeling and information systems design.

Quantitative and qualitative research

Proficient in social science research methods, encompassing both quantitative and qualitative approaches such as interviewing users of software applications and organizational fieldwork.

Academic and professional writing

Proven track record of writing and presenting research findings at international academic and research outlets.

Languages

English (C2)

Dutch (Mother tongue)

French (B2)

Italian (B1)

Korean (A1)

Experience

PhD Researcher

University of Twente

April 2018 – July 2024 Enschede, The Netherlands

PhD research in the context of the European Research Council (ERC) funded project Processing Citizenship (grant agreement No 714463) and at UTwente faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences (BMS), section of Science, Technology, and Policy Studies (STePS).

Associate Researcher

Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna

April 2023 – August 2023 Bologna, Italy

Assisted in the preparation of scientific publications for the Processing Citizenship project and in coordinating and organizing the concluding conference for the project, showcasing event management and logistical skills.

Technical Secretariat for 9th STS Italia Conference

Società Italiana Di Studi Su Scienza E Tecnologia (STS Italia)

September 2022 – June 2023 Bologna, Italy

Established and maintained the conference website, managed all communication aspects of the submission and review process for conference contributions, and acted as a central point of contact for authors and participants.

In-service training at Text and Data Mining unit

European Commission Joint Research Centre

October 2017 – February 2018 Ispra, Italy

In-service training in the field of computational linguistics to improve multilingual text mining tools (Europe Media Monitor).

Node.js Developer

MEDIALAAN

March 2016 – September 2019 Brussels Area, Belgium

Worked as a Node.js backend developer on different microservices for streaming video platform called Stievie, a type of Belgian Netflix for television stations.

Consultant

Capgemini

October 2013 – January 2016 Brussels Area, Belgium

Worked as an IT consultant for clients in the banking and energy sectors. As a test engineer to improve the quality of a multinational bank’s applications by doing (automated) testing. As a Java developer on an internal tool of multinational electric utility company for managing large B2B contracts.

Projects

PhD dissertation

My dissertation investigates the interplay between data matching technologies, identification practices, and transnational commercialized security infrastructures, particularly within migration management and border control. The public defence took place on July 17, 2024.

Processing Citizenship

From 2018-2023 I was part of the European Research Council (ERC) funded Processing Citizenship project investigating the digital registration of migrants as co-production of citizens, territory and Europe.

Brussels Games Festival

Between 2013 and 2016, I was involved with Ludiris, a non-profit association dedicated to hosting a board games festival in Brussels.

Featured Publications

Wouter Van Rossem, Annalisa Pelizza

June, 2022 Big Data & Society

The Ontology Explorer: A method to make visible data infrastructures for population management

This article introduces the methodology of the ‘Ontology Explorer’, a semantic method and JavaScript-based open-source tool to analyse data models underpinning information systems.

Recent Publications

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Annalisa Pelizza, Chiara Loschi, Lorenzo Olivieri, Paul Trauttmansdorff, Wouter Van Rossem (2025). Manifesto on the Datafication of Mobility Across Borders. Engaging Science, Technology, and Society.

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Annalisa Pelizza, Wouter Van Rossem (2024). Scripts of alterity: mapping assumptions and limitations of the border security apparatus through classification schemas. Science, Technology, & Human Values.

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Annalisa Pelizza, Wouter Van Rossem (2021). Sensing European alterity: an analogy between sensors and hotspots in transnational security networks. Sensing in/Security: Sensors as Transnational Security Infrastructures.

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Wouter Van Rossem (2012). An extensible framework for indoor positioning on mobile devices.

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