David Regéczi is a PhD candidate at the Centre for Clean Technology and Environmental Policy (CSTM). He moved to Enschede from Vancouver, Canada just over a year ago. The road to Twente, where Regéczi is studying public policy, was never a direct path.
Regéczi's background is in history. He studied at Simon Fraser University in British Colombia, Canada, then continued with graduate work at Queen's University in Ontario, Canada. A course in the history of public policy led to a second master's, this time in public administration. After speaking with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives about volunteer work, he heard of the opportunity to study in Enschede and decided to do his PhD research in the Netherlands. Finding a paid position, working in the policy field and the added bonus of living in the middle of western Europe all appealed to David.
Always interested in computers and technology, Regéczi has often combined his academic work with his computer skills. Employed for a time as a technical writer for a software company, he finds these skills transferable to wherever he is working, including the UT where he organizes the CSTM webpage. His policy research at Lund University in Sweden addressed `Digital Democracy' and the viability of public participation in the democratic process via technology. It is an interesting question considering the ability of computers to cheaply and easily spread information as never before - and as a tool for civic connections. Regéczi, even as an enthusiast and power-user of modern technology, warns of the reliance on technology in replacing important human interactions, `In order for online communication to work really well, I think you need to first meet face to face to build up a real level of trust.'
While considering coming to the Netherlands, Regéczi was concerned about the size of Enschede and the University. Used to big cities and big schools, he knew it would be a challenge to move alone to a completely new culture and adapt to work and life in a small community. After a year, however, he feels that he has met the challenge, making Dutch and international friends and even beginning to learn the language.
Regéczi's research at CSTM centers on Public Private Partnerships (PPP), in particular, their effect on issues of fairness in decision making. His thesis is a cross-cultural comparison of the Netherlands, Canada and Hungary - taking a similar instance of partnerships in each country and gauging the effect on procedural fairness. The cultural aspect of the work particularly appeals to Regéczi whose parents were both born in Hungary. `A lot of people will come up with these policy recommendations without taking into account cultural contexts.' The difference in types of welfare state - Canada as an Anglo-Saxon liberal welfare state, the Netherlands as a socio-democratic welfare state - and the corresponding differences in PPP give the research a unique perspective. Hungary provides a genuine contrast to both systems as it moves into the European community from a drastically different background. Regéczi looks forward to his case study work in all three countries as well as opportunities for international conferences.
Favorite thing about the Netherlands: Bike culture.
Miss most about home: Breakfast.
Hobbies: Geeking (Computer Work), writing, travel.
Favorite Food: Chicken Cordon Bleu with mashed potatoes.
Favorite Movies: Bleu, My Dinner with Andre.
Music: Jazz, Funk
