Dr Matthias Ploeg is a Managing Partner of Technopolis the Netherlands. He focuses on evidence-based policy analysis, evaluation and strategy support in the nexus Research, Innovation & Transition addressing Global Challenges. He is an experienced researcher, economist and project manager. In the period 2015-2018 Matthias led the regional African representation of Technopolis in Abidjan.
Matthias has extensive expertise on the innovation, technology, education, entrepreneurship and private sector development. He has led and contributed to over 100 studies and evaluations for national and international public clients.

As an experienced economist and evaluator, Matthias has strong experience in designing and implementing a wide array of qualitative and quantitative methods, including advanced econometrics, counterfactual analysis, RCTs, QCA, CBA, modelling, outcome harvesting, process tracing, contribution analysis, case study design and interviews.

Matthias is a highly experienced project manager, managing large international teams (1.5m EUR+, 20+ staff) for clients throughout Europe (the Netherlands, Ireland, UK, Belgium, Finland, France), Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Kenya, Cameroon, Rwanda and South Africa) and international organisations such as the European Commission, UNESCO, OECD, GIZ and the African Development Bank. Matthias is fluent in both Dutch and English, and has a good command of French.

Matthias holds a PhD in behavioural innovation economics from Radboud University and an M.Sc. in Economics (distinction) from Trinity College Dublin. He has a part-time position as associated researcher to the Institute of Management Research Nijmegen, where his research focuses on challenge-oriented innovation. He regularly publishes in leading journals such as Research Policy, Innovation and Research Evaluation, and is active as PhD supervisor and co-promotor.