Curriculum Vitae
Hilde Spaan
Sociologist · Amsterdam · Updated April 2026
About
Graduate sociologist with a strong drive to learn and sharp analytical skills. Performs well under pressure and adapts quickly in unexpected situations. Detail oriented, thrives in dynamic environments, and enjoys working collaboratively. Outside academic work: diving (practice and coaching), reading, and designing and making clothing, activities that strengthen creativity, perseverance and focus.
Education
2025 · present
Research Master, Social Sciences
Universiteit van Amsterdam · Mixed Methods track
2024 · 2025
Minor Forensic Criminology
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
2022 · 2025
BSc Sociology
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
2016 · 2022
Bilingual pre-university education (VWO)
Haarlemmermeer Lyceum
Diplomas and language certificates obtained during this period: IB Higher Level Diploma, HSK Level 1 & 2 (Chinese) and DELF B1 (French).
Professional experience
2026 · present
Researcher
VU Amsterdam · Centre for Philanthropic Studies
Working on a project mapping citizen initiatives in the Netherlands, commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, using a predominantly quantitative approach.
2025 · present
Research Assistant
VU Amsterdam · Centre for Philanthropic Studies
Supporting a wide range of research tasks across ongoing projects. Contributed substantially to a large qualitative study on operating grants, commissioned by the Oranje Fonds: scheduling, conducting, transcribing and coding in-depth interviews in ATLAS.ti, presenting preliminary results to the commissioner, and writing the research report.
2024
Research Assistant
VU Amsterdam · Study on Housing and Quality of Life in Almere
Conducting and transcribing in-depth interviews and supporting colleagues across research activities. Scheduling interviews and acting as the main point of contact for participants.
2019 · 2025
Various part-time positions
Wild & The Moon (barista) · Restaurant het Pakhuis (waitress) · Subway (shift supervisor) · Jumbo (sales associate)
Customer-facing and team-supervisory roles developing communication, reliability and stamina under pressure.
Skills
Methods
Solid grounding in social-science research methods and ethical guidelines. Experienced in conducting qualitative interviews; comfortable across mixed methods designs.
Tools
ATLAS.ti (qualitative analysis) · RStudio · SPSS · Python (quantitative analysis).
Communication
Strong in report writing and presenting findings, both written and oral. Experienced in teamwork and client oriented communication.
Languages
Dutch (full professional) · English (full professional) · French (limited working, DELF B1) · Chinese (limited working, HSK 1 & 2).
Certificates
- · Driver's License (Category B)
- · First Aid Certificate (EHBO)
- · IB Higher Level Diploma
- · DELF B1 Diploma (French)
- · HSK Level 1 & 2 (Chinese)
- · Trainer Schoonspringen 2 (KNZB)