Nienke Buisman is deputy Director Global Approach and International Cooperation in Research and Innovation since 2021 and Head of Unit International Cooperation Policy in the European Commission, Directorate-General Research & Innovation since 2019. She is in charge of developing and implementing the ‘Global Approach to Research and Innovation’, Europe’s strategy for international cooperation, specifically focusing on Africa, Asia, the Mediterranean, the Middle East as well as science diplomacy.

Nienke started her career in the European Commission in 2002 and worked in several policy and managerial positions in the fields of R&I policy, international cooperation with a strong focus on R&I cooperation with Africa and transport and energy policy.

Nienke holds a MSc in Development Studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She also holds a double French-British MA in European Public Policy.