International Communication Management - English - 3 years - Full-time

“My classes are quite often filled with case studies and stories from my 20 years of work experience as an international marketing communications professional. I share the strategies, solutions and results from well-known companies like: Universal Pictures, Mars Inc., and Nikon – bringing real-world examples to theory! In particular, communication areas such as: Content Marketing, International Communications and Digital Strategy. I also really enjoy helping students to understand what it’s like to work in the area of marketing communications - the differences in working for large multinationals or a start-up. The global feel of ICM really suits me - with teachers and students from all around the world – it fits with my background having lived and worked in: China, Australia, the UK and now The Netherlands. When I’m not teaching, I can be found swimming in the canals or visiting the many wonderful museums of Holland.”

Over the past sixteen years, I have won my spurs in the communication branch, amongst others, in the diplomatic service and in the field of project management. In 2016, I returned to my ‘old love’ (journalism) and started writing for The Huffington Post and subsequently Thrive Global. In addition to this, I’m also a journalist and editor employed by the Amsterdam-based knowledge centre, Mocca. I was awarded a master’s degree in Communication for Development by the Malmö University in Sweden. Higher and international vocational education are familiar territories to me – I was previously affiliated to NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences in Leeuwarden in the role of associate lecturer, study career coach and module coordinator. I would define my teaching style as coaching with a nod to study counselling.

“I started up my career as a Public Relations Officer and worked my way up as a Corporate Communication Deputy Director at a multinational company in Malaysia. After moving to the Netherlands for love, I joined the Embassy of Malaysia in The Hague as information officer bridging the 2 nations namely in the area of culture and diversity. At THUAS, I enjoy working with students to develop not only their academic capability but also guide them to develop their personal effectiveness. My extensive experience in Corporate Communication has motivated me to share my line of expertise especially on Corporate Reputation and Change Management. Besides teaching, I give trainings to various companies that plan to do business in the South East Asia region on how to conduct business with Asians.”

“For me teaching means learning in the first place. In other words, as I teach I turn my students into my teachers and that happens in many ways. The most exciting one is having students as co-researchers. As a teacher of research skills and a researcher, I love it when my students start using the skills we learned together in class to critically question my own research. Apart from academic research skills, I also teach subjects ranging from Media Theory and Media Relations to Journalism and Academic Writing Skills, among other subjects. The main philosophy that guided me during my student years and which I keep central to my teaching revolves around the idea of going “beyond the contract”. I encourage my students to consider the syllabus as representing the minimum requirements. I invite them to explore the wonderful world beyond the limited the classroom environment and beyond compulsory readings and assignments.”

“What I like best about being an ICM teacher is the diversity of the program. Not only do we teach students from 75 different countries, the course material is also very broad. In my 10 years at ICM I have helped develop quite a few courses which keeps me up-to-date also. I teach content courses like Internal Communications in Times of Change and Organizational Communication. The course I like most however is a foundation course called Critical Thinking Skills. In this course I teach students to become strong independent thinkers. I also coach our students during the three years they are with us. In the coaching sessions there is attention for both personal as well as professional development. The coaching aspect of my career is very rewarding. My own international work experiences in France, Indonesia, Tanzania and the USA are a great basis from which I help shape the next generation of international communications experts.”

“I am still very proud to be one of the founders of the ICM programme back in 2008. The fact that I am still lecturing in the programme, is because I have a lot of love for ICM and because we have a great international team of lecturers. The main courses I teach are Corporate Communication (introduction year 1 and advanced year 2) and Advisory Skills. I like to make jokes during my lectures to make it fun, because I believe learning should be fun. I also make the lectures and workshops as interactive as possible. Besides the course I just mentioned I also am the proud module manager of a minor called Sustainability in Business. Besides being a part-time teacher for ICM I am also a part-time consultant for a sustainability consultancy firm. Before I became a lecturer I worked in a corporate communications and design agency for five years.”

“I have taught Effective Business Communication, Intercultural communication and many other modules related to Humanities and Social Science at several universities and higher education institutions as well as global multinationals for over 25 years using anecdotes and examples from real-life situations. Examples of argumentation and debating skills as well as conflict solution based on observed situations at global firms, particularly among non-native speakers, can be interesting for the students as examples of the pitfalls within international corporate culture, particularly where emotional responses are concerned. Having worked in both Ireland and the Netherlands I am interested in how different cultures communicate and how holistic communication strategies can help ease problems based on misunderstanding. I love helping students achieve their goals and sharpen their communication skills. I love to travel and experience other cultures and I enjoy teaching students about communicating across cultures and in diverse situations.”

“The reason why I love teaching ICM students is that they are a wonderful mix of colourful internationals who flock to The Hague every year, bringing their own cultures and their ambitions for the future. After getting a degree in Communications from Nijmegen University I spent 15 years ‘agency-side’, first in Amsterdam, then London and then back in Amsterdam, working on international accounts. I liked being engaged in diverse markets, joining a morning brainstorm on baby food and then rushing off to an afternoon pitch on mobile phones. At ICM I initially lectured in Branding and Marketing Communication but gradually focused on how communications can make brands and organisations more sustainable. This perspective is now at the heart of ICM’s identity and together with students I try to bring that to life in courses like Global Issues, and Design Thinking.”

“As a lecturer at ICM, I have the pleasure of teaching classes such as Journalism and Media, Intercultural communication, and Communication and Behavior. It gives me a lot of satisfaction to watch my students improve over the course of their studies and turn into successful communication professionals. Before coming to the Hague University, I worked as a television producer for Canadian broadcasters for nearly twenty years, adnd after, took on a position as international campaign manager at SNV (The Netherlands Development Organisation). I am also an enthusiastic member of the Research group Change Management at the Hague University. My research is about the role of gossip in organizations, and so far, I have published two academic papers on the topic. Not only do my students hear about my research during my lectures, but many are taking an active part in it.”

“As an ICM lecturer I have the privilege of teaching the things that I am passionate about: digital media and the research methodologies that surround it. In the fast paced era of technology and communications, it is important that students learn about the fundamental mechanisms that draw people and communicate ideas. That said, my classes also involve the elements of critical thinking. Navigating incorrect information (“fake news”), conducting independent research, interpreting results and formulating recommendations, are all skills that are necessary for digital natives as they enter the professional world of communications. Coming from a farm in Alberta, Canada: the multicultural classroom and exchange of ideas amongst the ICM students of different backgrounds make for an even more exciting experience.”