Trained as a journalist, Michael is a science and policy communication professional, specialized in strategic communication, knowledge sharing, and contrent creation. For 20 years, he has led and managed teams at international research centers focused on agriculture, health research systems, forestry, environmental management and rural development.
He is co-founder of Sci4D – Science for Development, a service that synthesizes the results of publicly-funded research to inform and influence decision makers and investors, to benefit the populations on low-income countries. This initiative aims to make ‘public goods’ research more accessible – opening this hidden knowledge to the world.
In his career Michael has been a communications consultant and writer; and served as Chief Knowledge Officer and head of strategic communication and advocacy. His assignments have taken him and his family from their home in Brussels, to live in Sri Lanka, Geneva, Syria, Jordan and China – a rich cultural experience.
He has led communication and knowledge sharing strategies for research-into-use programs in the Middle-East-Mediterranean region, Central Asia, Iraq and East Africa. As part of these efforts he delivered courses on science communication to some 300 researchers and mentoring young professionals and managers.
His parallel activities are music composition and performace and cultural exploration of far-flung places.
