Dr. Luisa Cortesi, International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University
Veni grant proposal presentation & custom icon design | Grant awarded!
Client
Luisa Cortesi is an Assistant Professor at the International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University, with a Ph.D. in Anthropology and Environmental Studies from Yale. She applied for the prestigious NWO Veni grant to fund her research on how communities in urban Europe adapt to first-time disruptive flooding.
Challenge
Luisa needed a compelling, visually clear presentation to support her proposal, titled From flood-prone to flood-ready: Environmental learning in first-time flood-affected urban Europe. The challenge was to translate a complex academic narrative into a focused and persuasive story—one that would stand out in a highly competitive review process.
Approach
I worked closely with Luisa to shape the slide deck that combined clear structure, strong storytelling, and visual flow. I designed a custom icon set that was inspired by her project proposal, and crafted a layout that guided viewers through her presentation: from context and urgency to methodology and real-world impact.
Result
The final deck supported Luisa in securing the NWO Veni grant. The personal grant of up to €320,000 will allow Cortesi to develop her research over the next three years. The presentation helped communicate the depth and societal relevance of her work, contributing to a winning proposal that will support community-based learning and disaster adaptation policies.
