Laurens Hessels is a senior research fellow at the Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS) of Leiden University. Laurens conducts research into the processes and mechanisms of knowledge valorization and into methods and indicators for evaluating valorization. He also works as research quality coordinator at the Rathenau Instituut, where he carries out research on science and innovation policies. Laurens completed his PhD in 2010 at Utrecht University with a study into how university researchers deal with the practical applications of their work. He has also worked as a researcher with KWR Watercycle Research Institute and as a policy advisor at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.