Thaïs Franken is an Aruban public administration and organizational scientist. She obtained a double master of science degree in Public Policy and Human Development, specializing in Innovation, Institutions, & Development from the United Nations University – Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU-MERIT) & Maastricht University (UM). Since 2020, she has been a lecturer within the Department of Organization, Governance & Management (OGM) at the University of Aruba, where she teaches both the bachelor’s and master’s programs.
Thaïs also plays a crucial role as a researcher for the Aruba Institute for Good Governance & Leadership (*GG&L), an independent, multidisciplinary, and not-for-profit competence center of the University of Aruba. Her work here focuses on research and capacity-building activities, contributing significantly to the institute’s mission.
She has made significant contributions to various commissioned research projects locally, regionally, and internationally. Her research and papers cover a diverse set of topics, but she is particularly vocal in the community about her research on the potential of the creative industries in Aruba.
Her current research efforts focus more on how collaborative governance and institutional dynamics between civil society and the state impact effective evidence-based policymaking on small island societies.
She is currently focused on her PhD research, which aims to uncover how sociocultural civil society organizations (CSOs) in Aruba and Bonaire achieve public value governance on both the local and kingdom levels.
Since 2020, Thais has also contributed with her expertise and passion for community work as a volunteer to different local organizations such as Stichting Leerorkest Aruba, Aruban Youth Parliament, and Go Cultura Foundation. She has fulfilled functions such as board member, board secretary, and policy & research advisor.