Academic Advisory Board

Academic Advisory Board

AmsterMUN 2025 is a conference that puts academic excellence at the centre of its organisation and goes the extra mile, through our academic procedure, criteria, and our unique concept of an Academic Advisory Board. Our chairs, staff responsible for writing the academic material for a specific committee and moderates debate, follow strict academic guidelines, set by the Secretariat and reviewed by the Academic Advisory Board.

The Academic Advisory Board is a selection of university academic staff such as professors, lecturers, and tutors, which advises the AmsterMUN Secretariat on the academic quality of the conference. They review and approve the academic guidelines as well as the background guides for each committee.

Emil Yan

PPLE Teacher at University of Amsterdam

Emil Y. is a Junior Lecturer at the University of Amsterdam’s PPLE College, where he teaches courses in political theory, governance, public policy, and philosophy of the social sciences. He holds an MSc in Political Theory from the University of Amsterdam and a BA in Political Science from Westminster College (MO). With prior experience in political campaigns and nonprofit strategy in the United States, Emil combines academic rigor with practical insights into governance and policymaking. His expertise supports AmsterMUN’s commitment to strong academic foundations and intellectually engaging debate.

Marjoleine Zieck

Professor of International Refugee Law at the University of Amsterdam

Marjolein Zieck is a Professor of International Refugee Law at the University of Amsterdam. Her research and teaching focus on refugee protection, international law, and the role of the UNHCR, with extensive publications that have shaped both scholarship and policy. As a leading expert in humanitarian and legal issues, she brings essential insights into the complexities of international law and global governance. Her expertise supports AmsterMUN in ensuring that its debates are grounded in rigorous legal analysis and reflect the realities of today’s international challenges.

Tom Meinderts

PPLE Teacher at University of Amsterdam

Tom Meinderts is a lecturer at the University of Amsterdam’s PPLE College and a PhD candidate at Sciences Po, Paris. His research focuses on U.S. economic foreign policy since the Reagan administration, building on his background in North American Studies and International Relations from Leiden University. With expertise in transatlantic relations and economic diplomacy, he contributes to AmsterMUN by ensuring that debates reflect both historical depth and contemporary policy challenges.

Tim Lindgren

Postdoctoral Fellow in international law at Amsterdam Law School

Tim Lindgren is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Amsterdam’s Amsterdam Center for International Law. His research examines how international law approaches territory, developing the concept of ‘place’ to strengthen State obligations on climate change and environmental harm. As a scholar working at the intersection of environmental law and international governance, he brings innovative perspectives on how law can address today’s most pressing global challenges. His expertise supports AmsterMUN in ensuring that debates engage with the evolving realities of international law and sustainability.

Gijsbert van Iterson Scholten

Political science teacher at University of Amsterdam

Gijsbert van Iterson Scholten is a Lecturer in International Relations and Peace Studies at the University of Amsterdam. His work explores concepts of positive peace, focusing on how peace is understood and practiced by professional peacebuilders across cultural contexts—drawing on insights from his PhD research on peace visions in the Netherlands, Lebanon, and Mindanao. As a scholar of peacebuilding and international relations, he provides AmsterMUN with deeply contextualized and inclusive frameworks that enrich its discussions on global conflict resolution and peace theory.

Maarten Zwanenburg

Professor of military law at University of Amsterdam

Marten Zwanenburg is a Professor of Military Law at the Netherlands Defence Academy and the University of Amsterdam. His research and teaching focus on international humanitarian law, the law of armed conflict, and the legal framework governing peace operations. With extensive publications and practical expertise in military and operational law, he bridges academic scholarship with real-world application. His expertise supports AmsterMUN in grounding debates on security and defense in rigorous legal analysis and the realities of contemporary conflict.