Sam completed her Master’s degree in Socio-Economic Sciences at the University of Antwerp in 2023. During her studies, she was introduced to a wide range of socio-economic topics and research methods. In her Master’s degree, she focused on labour market and health policy. Sam gained her first work experience during an internship at the research department of SERV, where she …

Dr Emma Sidgwick has been working at IDEA Consult since October 2025. Previously, she was internationalisation manager at the Flanders’ FOOD spearhead cluster for agri-food and manager at iPropeller (now KPMG), a consultancy firm specialising in social business innovation and sustainability. Emma has an academic background in social sciences and obtained a PhD in socio-cultural sciences from KU Leuven. Emma …

Giulia Bergui is a consultant in the Innovation, Competitiveness and Sustainability (ICS) team at IDEA Consult, which she joined in September 2024. She contributes to a wide range of projects focusing on the green and digital transition, interregional innovation, and the deployment of emerging technologies. Giulia holds a Master’s degree in Advanced Global Studies from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore …

Saartje Prinsen obtained her master’s degree in urban design and spatial planning at KU Leuven in Ghent. She has a strong interest in both open spaces and urban environments. With this degree, she wanted to contribute to spatial challenges and make a positive social impact. She also saw the programme as an opportunity to develop her analytical and design skills. …

Astrid Vliebergh is a senior consultant. She has more than twenty years of experience in EU project and programme management and has held various management positions in government and North Sea Port. She is a connector between the public and private sectors and is passionate about economic issues, regional policy and international relations. Thanks to her experience in the port, …

Nazareno Braito, Ph.D., works as Senior consultant in the team Innovation, Industry Competitiveness and Sustainability team at IDEA consultant since January 2022. Nazareno holds a double degree Ph.D in business economics from KU Leuven and Maastricht University in 2019 after having developed a Ph.D. thesis on the heterogeneity in the location determinants of foreign direct investments for multinationals. For his …

An Descheemaeker joined Idea Consult in early 2025 as a territorial development expert. She has built up a broad expertise in sustainable spatial development, urban planning, mobility policy and participatory approaches. After obtaining her Master’s degree in Geography in 2002 and a Master’s degree specialising in Development Cooperation, she gained her first work experience at the urban organisation BRAL vzw. …

Margaux Lapeirre started in 2025 as an analyst with the Local and Regional Government team at IDEA Consult. In June 2024, she obtained her master’s degree in public administration and public management from the University of Ghent. During her studies, she was introduced to the world of administration, policy, law, economics, politics and management. She gained insight into the functioning …

Vincent Van Roy works as an Expert in the team of Research, Innovation & Competitiveness at IDEA Consult since February 2023. In this role, he collaborates to the Assessment and Monitoring of Industrial Research, Innovation and Technologies in the field of clean renewable energy technologies and advanced materials in relation to the European Green Deal and the green transition (DG …