Dr Willem Bantema is Professor of Governance and Security in a Digital Society. His expertise lies where public governance meets digitalisation. He explores how local governments can effectively respond to digital safety issues and works closely with municipalities on interventions against online disruptions to public order.
Professor of Governance and Security in a Digital Society
Research areas:
Dr Willem Bantema has written several books and research articles on these themes and is an active voice in public debate. His current research focuses on how citizens view law and policing in closed online communities. With his multidisciplinary, practice-based approach, he contributes to a future-proof digital government at the local level.
The relevance of his work is hard to overstate. Online calls for unrest are increasingly spilling over into the streets. Take, for example, the riots in Amsterdam after the 2024 football match between Ajax and Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv - unrest that was fuelled by online mobilisation.
Willem Bantema studied sociology at the University of Groningen (RuG). Since 2017 he has been a professor with the Cybersafety Research Group at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences. Alongside leading research projects, he is closely involved in supervising and inspiring students.
Research Group: Governance and Security in a Digital Society
The research group works in close collaboration with networks such as the G40 (the 40 largest Dutch municipalities), the Dutch Mayors’ Association, the Bureau of Regional Mayors, the VNG (Association of Dutch Municipalities), CCV (Dutch Centre for Crime Prevention and Safety), and the Dutch Police Academy.
Projects
Podcast NHL Stenden Onderzoekt: How can we prevent online calls for riots?
From demonstrations getting out of hand in Amsterdam to unrest among young people in Sneek, online calls for riots are increasingly putting Dutch cities on edge. How should municipalities deal with this? What can be done to stop it, and how can it be prevented? Does current legislation go far enough, or do municipalities need more powers? These are the urgent questions Dr Willem Bantema is tackling in his research. Listen to the podcast!
The research group in the media
Chained to Musk; who is in charge of our public order? (NL)
Opinion piece
More insecurity if the police monitor private (app) groups? (NL)
Opinion piece
Videos on social media play a major role in unrest in Amsterdam: “You are always playing catch-up” (NL)
Article in Het Parool