Projects
Cleavage transformations and the new electoral coalition of social democracy in Belgium.Social class, ideological profiles, welfare coalitions and ethnic minority group interests KU Leuven
This PhD research deals with the electoral paradoxes of social democracy. Combining theories on social class, welfare attitudes and cleavage transformation, the research aims to provide insight into voting for social democratic parties and their competitors in Western Europe – and particularly in Belgium. First, it argues that de-industrialization has permanently altered the social class structure of Western European societies, thus affecting ...
A Secularization of Cultural Politics? Changing Patterns of Cultural-Political Polarization and Voting Behavior in Western Europe, 1981-2017 KU Leuven
This project studies transformations of cultural politics in Western Europe in the last four decades. Whereas the ‘new’ cultural cleavage is typically viewed as pitting broadly culturally conservative individuals against their broadly culturally progressive counterparts, this thesis suggests that there are two types of cultural value dimensions lumped together, one religious and one secular. The religious value dimension is moral ...
Photocatalytic valorization of lignin towards value-added end products KU Leuven
Catalytic oxidative transformations in the conversion of lignin to polymer building blocks KU Leuven
Concerns about the depletion of fossil reserves and their negative climate impact stimulate the use of renewable resources for the production of fuels, chemicals and materials. Lignocellulose, which is the most abundant biomass constituent, represents a promising feedstock. A major challenge in the efficient use of lignocellulose is the valorization of lignin, one of its main components. Valorization of this phenolic biopolymer is very ...
Photocatalytic Valorization of Lignin towards Value-Added End Products KU Leuven
The selective transformation of lignin, which is the largest source of renewable aromatics, into value-added end products is of great importance in the pursuit of a sustainable future. Photocatalysis that can perform under mild reaction conditions has emerged as an effective strategy for the valorization of lignin and has attracted much recent research interest.
The project aims to develop a performant system with concrete potential for ...
Development and use of "smart" and sustainable phosgene analogues. University of Antwerp
Catalytic production of bio-based amines and derivatives KU Leuven
The continuous growth of world’s population and the increasing economic industrialization has led to an ever increasing demand to energy and goods. Simultaneously, we are confronted with a foreseeable depletion of cheap oil and sustainability issues for gas and coal conversion. These facts have stimulated the quest for renewable resources. Perhaps their major role as energy supplier may be questioned on the long term, but renewable feedstock ...
Green Transition Attitudes: Social Risks and Deservingness in times of Climate Change (GreTA) KU Leuven
Transformative decarbonisation action towards a ‘net zero transition’ (NZT) is essential to prevent worst climate changes. However, this and climate change itself may exacerbate social risks, especially for disadvantaged people and regions. Providing sustainable welfare – i.e. balancing human needs and environmental limits – adds to existing pressure on welfare states. In this context, new social conflicts and cleavages could develop, ...
Catalytic deamination of amino acids. KU Leuven
Amino acids are naturally highly functionalized bio-molecules with applications in many different sectors such as food, animal feed, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics etc. Besides, their potential as an alternative renewable feedstock for petroleum-based bulk and fine chemicals cannot be overlooked. Simple selective modification and defunctionalization reactions can provide a plethora of (nitrogenous) chemicals and introduce these molecules ...