Koen De Brandt (PhD)
Biography
Koen is an assistant professor and postdoctoral researcher at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), research group Sport Psychology & Mental Support. Besides research and teaching, he coordinates the central university dpt. 'Topsport & Studie' (Top Sport & Study), providing academic and performance lifestyle support to student-athletes in developing successful dual careers. Before Koen started working at the VUB in 2013, he was a professional volleyball player and student-athlete at the VUB. At present Koen is still active as a beach volleyball player. He also enjoys playing padel, trail running and cycling.
Koen's main interests lie in the domain of sport science: training & coaching, sport psychology, sport management, health & nutrition. In his research, he focuses on talented and elite athletes' career development and transitions. Koen's PhD (2013-17) entitled "A holistic perspective on student-athletes' dual career demands, competencies and outcomes" focused on what elite athletes require to effectively cope with the challenges of a dual career pathway in higher education. Koen leads and assists in several international and national projects (research & applied) on athletes' careers for the European Commission, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Flemish Sport Administration (Sport Vlaanderen), and the government of the Brussels-Capital Region.
On an applied level, Koen translates his experiences as a former professional volleyball player, as a qualified volleyball trainer, and as a researcher and lecturer into practice by providing dual career support to student-athletes with the dpt. Topsport & Studie. In 2019, Koen founded the research-based online platform www.dualcareertools.com, which assists athletes and support staff in developing successful careers. Koen presented on several national and international conferences about elite athletes' career development. In 2017, he received the Young Researchers in Sport & Exercise Psychology award at the BASES-FEPSAC Conference in Nottingham.
Location
Pleinlaan 2
1050 Brussels
Belgium