Ralph Meulenbroeks (Ph.D. MSc.) combined conservatoire double-bass studies with a university physics degree, graduating 鈥榗um laude鈥� in both. He finished his Ph.D. in plasma physics at Eindhoven 木瓜福利影视 of Technology and worked as a researcher at Shell, Oc茅, and FOM (Fundamental Research of Matter).
He worked as a physics teacher in secondary education andobtained his Master of Education in 2012 (cum laude). As of 2015, he is working as in the field of science education at Utrecht 木瓜福利影视, becoming an associate professor in this field in 2021 and full professor in 2025. He also works as a career coach and has given many keynote and other lectures and workshops on (intrinsic) motivation. He has initiated several projects aimed at tackling the shortage of secondary school teachers in het Netherlands (beta4all, studentinzetopschool, and b猫ta-lerarenkamer) and has a very popular channel.
On September 1st, 2024, Ralph was appointed chair of the UU's Freudenthal Institute. He was appointed full professor of scientific literacy in 2025.
He also studied viola da gamba with Jaap ter Linden. He has been soloist with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and the Philharmonia Orchestra with such conductors as Sir Roger Norrington, Vladimir Ashkenazy and Ivan Fischer. He made many cd-recordings and was awarded the Edison classical audience award , the Netherlands鈥� most prestigious recording award.
Ralph has a very broad scope of fascinations ranging from macrobiotic food and t鈥檃i chi to history, astrophysics, and aviation. He has a private pilot鈥檚 licence.
Chair
Scientific Literacy