Elena Bendien

Elena Bendien is an accomplished senior researcher with extensive experience in social and cultural gerontology. Currently employed at Leyden Academy on Vitality and Ageing since March 2020, Elena previously served as a senior researcher at VUmc's Department of Medical Humanities from July 2016 to May 2020. Elena has held various academic positions, including researcher and guest lecturer at the Universiteit voor Humanistiek, where contributions included co-founding the Graduate School and supervising PhD candidates. Additionally, Elena taught courses related to ageing at Radboud University Nijmegen and conducted significant research during a dual role as a researcher and PhD candidate at Stichting Humanitas Rotterdam. Academic training includes a PhD in social and cultural gerontology and psychology from the University of Humanistic Studies and a PhD in Russian Linguistics from the State University of Rostov-on-Don.