Elliot Soontjens

Elliot Soontjens is a PhD Researcher in the Mobilise Research Group VUB. His research focuses on grassroots initiatives’ roles in mobility cultures and mobility governance configurations as part of the Marie-Curie project TRANSFORM. His research investigates the transformative potential of grassroots mobility initiatives in transitioning urban mobility systems in 6 European cities.

Elliot holds a Master of Science in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science from Lund University in Sweden and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from the University of Ottawa in Canada. In both his bachelor’s and master’s theses, he explored topics in critical sustainable urbanism, reflecting his deep interest in both the physical and symbolic constructions of our cities.

I aspire to work long-term on academic, public or non-governmental projects concerned with bettering equity and environmental dimensions of urban mobility in European cities. I am particularly drawn to Brussels, a city facing significant mobility issues but holding tremendous potential. My objectives as a researcher are to advance both theoretic and empirical knowledge whilst also catering results towards policy guidelines for decision makers and urban planners. I would be disappointed if I didn’t render positive impacts in both the academic and political sides of urban mobility.