Curriculum vitae
I have been writing as a freelance journalist, copywriter, technical writer and book author since 2000, mainly about computers and technology in general. I have a broad technical background and I have also many non-technical interests. My main professional goal is showing people how they can use technology for good.
Experience
Board Member, the Ministry of Privacy
January 2020 - Present
The Ministry of Privacy is a Belgian privacy foundation, battling privacy invasions committed by governments and companies and raising awareness. Because I have been raising awareness about privacy issues with various technologies and writing about how to take back your privacy with technology in my own articles, I decided to support the Ministry of Privacy as a board member.
Editor-in-chief, MagPi (NL)
January 2018 - December 2020
The Dutch magazine MagPi is the official magazine of the Raspberry Pi Foundation for Dutch-speaking Raspberry Pi enthusiasts.
Education
I'm a lifelong learner and I have always enjoyed learning new insights and applying them in my daily life and my job.
Associate degree in Internet of Things
2019 - 2022 (UC Leuven-Limburg, Maxima cum laude)
A hands-on education at the intersection of electronics, programming and networking, including embedded devices (hardware and software) using IoT networks such as LoRaWAN, NB-IoT and Sigfox. I started this education in evening classes because during the last years I have been writing more and more about IoT and I needed more technical depth in this domain.
Herbal processing
2018 - 2019 (SYNTRA Limburg)
An education about the processing of raw herbal materials, the production methods from harvesting the plant material to packaging the end product. About making tinctures, oil macerates, cosmetics, ...
Thesis: A cream for overworked muscles
Herbalist
2016 - 2018 (Syntra AB)
This education gives a strong scientific foundation of herbal medicine: basic chemistry, biochemistry, botany, anatomy, physiology and pathology. About learning to recognize the different herbs, their active substances, medicinal properties, the correct cultivation techniques, applied business operations and legislation. I started this education because I had been interested in using herbs to support my own health and I wanted to get a better theoretical foundation.
Thesis: Panax ginseng as an adaptogenic herb for athletes
Postgraduate in Translating on a European level, Retexting texts
2012 - 2013 (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)
I started this education because I had been working as a writer but without a language education. This postgraduate helped me refine my language skills (in Dutch) and I still apply many lessons in my texts. I even wrote a script that warns me when my text includes one of the pitfalls I learned there.
Master of Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Science
2005 - 2007 (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, unfinished)
Specialization: cognitive science
I took all courses in 2005-2007, while studying for my philosophy degree. Combining AI and philosophy was intellectually very fruitful, but as I combined these two with a fulltime job as a freelance writer I have not finished my AI thesis (yet). Maybe I find some time again when I'm retired.
Master of Philosophy
2004 - 2007 (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Magna Cum Laude)
Specialisation: logic, philosophy of mathematics and philosophy of science
This was the most intellectually stimulating education I had. This is where I learned to think and do research. I even considered doing a PhD in philosophy, but I decided to keep focusing on what I'm good at: writing about technology.
Thesis: "Computer proofs and mathematical practice"
I presented a part of my thesis at the Perspectives on Mathematical Practices 2007 conference in Brussels.
Master of Engineering in Computer Science
1999 - 2004 (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Cum Laude)
Specialisation: artificial intelligence and natural language processing
With my very broad interests with a preference to science and technology, I decided to study for an engineering degree. The first two years were a solid technological and scientific foundation. Afterwards, I naturally chose the computer science option. To cater for my interest in language, I chose an interdisciplinary topic for my thesis in natural language processing.
Thesis: "Determining the meaning of words using Constraint Logic Programming"
Certifications
Because I wanted to fill the gaps in my knowledge of Linux, I studied for some certifications of the Linux Professional Institute. I passed the following exams:
LPIC-3 303 (Linux Enterprise Professional - Security)
Issued September 2019 - Expires September 2024 (Linux Professional Institute)
Credential ID LPI000188802 / jqc5w7bzuh
LPIC-2 (Linux Engineer)
Issued October 2014 - Expires September 2024 (Linux Professional Institute)
Credential ID LPI000188802 / x6xa4jav4m
LPIC-1 (Linux Administrator)
Issued December 2009 - Expires September 2024 (Linux Professional Institute)
Credential ID LPI000188802 / qadqrfgkbl