About us
About US
Guidance and expertise at every step of the research process.
Established in 2018 by Dr. Suzan Doornwaard, Elephant Path – Research & Consulting is dedicated to empowering organizations and individuals in the pursuit of high-quality, reliable research on societal issues. Our mission is to provide guidance and expertise across the entire research process ā whether it’s advising on a suitable research design, conducting thorough and rigorous data analyses, or providing professional research content for your project. Specializing in interdisciplinary social science research, we seamlessly integrate theoretical perspectives and empirical insights from various disciplines, employing a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods and different knowledge sources. This broad approach allows us to unravel the complexity and interconnected nature of today’s wicked problems.
Inspired by the remarkable qualities of elephants, our name “Elephant Path” symbolizes our commitment to exhibiting problem-solving skills, resourcefulness, and adaptability to new challenges. Much like these majestic creatures, we strive to leverage knowledge, experience, and tools to guide informed and goal-oriented decisions.
Experienced elephants navigate and coach their group towards their goal. While doing so, they carve the path for future generations.
"Where an elephant walks,
a path is created"
_
Burmese proverb
Founder
Suzan Doornwaard, PhD
As an interdisciplinary social scientist and research consultant, Suzan has successfully coordinated diverse research projects, spanning academic research, participatory and action-oriented studies, monitoring and evaluation efforts, and scientific consultancies. Her work is centered on unraveling the complex dynamics between individuals and the diverse social, cultural, and ecological contexts that shape their experiences.
Suzan pursued her academic journey at Utrecht University in The Netherlands, studying Interdisciplinary Social Sciences (BSc) and Development and Socialisation in Childhood and Adolescence (Research MSc). In 2015, she earned her Ph.D. for her multi-method research on the role of the Internet in adolescent sexual development, contributing to the first large-scale longitudinal study on adolescent sexual development in The Netherlands (Project STARS). For one of the studies in her dissertation, Suzan received the Publication Award from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). During her Ph.D., Suzan spent several months in the US as a visiting scholar at the Center on Media and Child Health (Boston Childrenās Hospital, Harvard Medical School).
Suzan currently serves on the board of Bring the Elephant Home, a research and conservation organization dedicated to promoting human-elephant coexistence through enhancing social-ecological resilience and fostering sustainable conservation action.

Profile
Research Experience
Education
PhD, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences: Cultural Diversity & Youth
Utrecht University, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
MSc, Development Socialisation in Childhood and Adolescence
Utrecht University, Graduate School of Social and Behavioural Sciences
Graduated cum laude
BSc, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, w. minors in Cultural Studies
Utrecht University, Graduate School of Social and Behavioural Sciences
Graduated cum laude
PhD, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences: Cultural Diversity & Youth
Utrecht University, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
Postgraduate courses and training
United Nations University - Intensive Core Courses on Sustainability Science; Wageningen University & Research - Food Environments for Healthy Sustainable Diets; Data Visualization and Information Design
Professional
Research Consultant
Elephant Path - Research & Consulting
Postdoctoral Research Fellow Youth in Changing Cultural Contexts
Utrecht University, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences: Cultural Diversity & Youth
Social Impact Consultant
Sinzer
Managing Editor
Journal of Social Intervention: Theory and Practice
Visiting scholar
Center on Media and Child Health, Harvard Medical School/Boston Childrenās Hospital
University lecturer / Thesis supervisor
Utrecht University, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences: Cultural Diversity & Youth
Accomplishments
publication Award
Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)
Best Student Presentation Award
Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality
Research Article Award, Second Place
Utrecht University, Research Group Child and Adolescent Studies
Best Scientific Poster Award
Utrecht University, Graduate School of Social and Behavioural Sciences
25+ academic publications
See portfolio for a full list of publications per research area
Research visuals and presentation design
Research website
Translating and proofreading
Quantitative advisor for ResultsinHealth
Research visuals and website design
Research visuals and presentation design
Research website
Proofreading
Quantitative advisor








