Bart Blokland

I have a BA in History and MA in Ancient History at the Utrecht University. During my masters I specialized in Ancient and Environmental History, in particular the concepts of resilience and vulnerability of past societies during disasters and epidemics. I’m currently employed at the PDPC as a PhD candidate and am connected to the Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management faculty. Within my PhD research, I study the relationship between scenario-based exercises and pandemic preparedness. I specifically focus on identifying the broad range of functions of scenario-based exercises, looking at exercises as a research methodology, as a boundary object, as a place of knowledge (re)production and the long-term learning effects of exercises. Next to my research, I am also involved in the design and development of scenario-based exercises within the research line Integrated Science for Policy and the UNITY project. Finally, I’m also part of the PDPC education team, taking part in the coordination and development of an interdisciplinary minor program for bachelor students aimed at Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness, starting in September 2026.