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Nik is a development economist based in Belgium. He holds a joint PhD in Economics and in Development Studies from the Universities of Leuven and Antwerp. He is a senior research fellow at the Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance at the University of Leuven.

Nik's research focuses on the micro-empirical analysis of development issues in Sub Saharan Africa. He studies a broad range of topics, with a particular interest in natural resources, the political economy of conflict, and internal constraints to development. His work is published in several scientific journals, including Economic Development and Cultural Change; Environment and Development Economics; Food Policy; and Resources Policy.

A lot of his research is based on individual- and household-level survey data he collected himself. Over the past eight years, Nik built up substantial field experience, conducting research activities in Benin, Democratic Republic of Congo, South-Africa and Tanzania.

As a consultant, Nik has contributed to a range of assignments. His consultancy experience mostly relates to the evaluation of development programs and change management in the public sector.