About the Thorbecke Academy

The Thorbecke Academy at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences is a community of socially aware and socio-critical students, lecturers and professors with locations in Leeuwarden an Assen. A community that strives to create progressive solutions for tomorrow’s society in the fields of law, public administration and safety and security. The Thorbecke Academy aims to cultivate shrewd strategists that help avert social tension by applying new ideas, rules and regulations. Professionals that create certainty in a rapidly changing world and take the lead in encouraging progress at every level, from digital resilience to European legislation.

The Thorbecke Academy is the top institution when it comes to public administration degree programmes. The Academy was the first of its kind over 30 years ago and enjoys an excellent reputation in government circles. With programmes in Public Administration, European Studies, Safety and Security Management and Law, its alumni include policy makers, security coordinators and politicians.

Our educational concept

Study at the Thorbecke Academy at NHL Stenden means studying in a challenging and inspiring learning environment with contemporary facilities. Our educational concept, Design-Based Education (DBE) combines an inter-disciplinary approach with real-world assignments so that you develop as a person and a professional.

Professorships

The Thorbecke Academy has two professorships: Cybersafety and Maritime Law.

Cybersafety

Through the Thorbecke Academy’s Cybersafety professorship, students, lecturers, businesses and institutions work together on practical research, identifying problem areas in cybercrime and cybersafety and providing clarity on how to resolve issues.

Maritime Law

New technology requires new regulations. But the reverse is also true. New regulations for safety and the environment need technological innovations. Maritime technology and law come together in the research field of the Maritime Law Professorship.

Knowledge Centre ‘Public Leadership in the European Work Field’

For many regional stakeholders across Europe, including those in the Friesland region, it remains a challenge to position themselves in the EU and the European work field or to bring ‘Europe’ to the region. It is for instance a daunting task to represent regional or local interests at the EU level of policy making, to (co)shape transitions in the European work field or to bring innovative ideas to Europe or vice versa.

The Knowledge Centre ‘Public Leadership in the European Work Field’ aims at tackling these issues. It is a research platform that focuses on strengthening regional capacities to connect with the wider European work field and to better prepare regional stakeholders for future developments in Europe.

The House of Thorbecke magazine

Our annual publication “The House of Thorbecke” is packed with interesting articles and interviews in the fields of law, public administration and security. With contributions from our lecturers, students, researchers, alumni and the field, the magazine covers the latest trends and developments, outlines current research projects within the Academy, shares our students’ experiences with the degree programmes and includes columns on social issues. It’s an invaluable magazine for all professionals in the domain. You can download the latest edition below.