I am Lore Cuypers, born and raised in Ostend, Belgium. I currently live and work in the beautiful city of Bruges. My early years as an athlete taught me the value of perseverance and hard work, qualities I now strive to pass on to my three children. My passion for sports led me to pursue a master’s degree in Movement Sciences and Sports Management at Ghent University.In 2014, I began my career at the University of Applied Sciences Howest as a lecturer in Sports and Health Policy. As my interest in behavioral sciences grew, particularly in how environments influence individual choices, I decided to further my education with an additional degree in Environmental Psychology from the University of Amsterdam.My expertise lies in socio-spatial research, focusing on how physical and social environments affect behavior and healthy choices, especially in the context of the use of public space for sports, physical activity and leisure. In 2018, I founded the Vital Cities research group, which has since evolved into a leading expertise center. Our interdisciplinary team works on various topics, including environmental psychology, data-informed policymaking, nudging, active design, and using sports and exercise as a means for social innovation.In addition to my academic work, I co-founded the non-profit organization BRAVE. BRAVE focuses on organizing urban sports and physical activities for groups that face barriers to participating in traditional sports clubs. We create safe environments for teenage girls, helping them build self-confidence, make friends, and discover their talents through positive sports experiences.Through my work at the intersection of city policy, sports, and social work, I aim to creatively and practically improve systems for those who encounter obstacles in accessing sports, ultimately striving to make a meaningful impact on society.