Hans Diels
Hans Diels (1980) studied Political Science and International Relations in Leuven and Louvain-la-Neuve. Previously, he served as a representative on the European Council’s Trade Policy Committee in Brussels, worked at the US Embassy to Belgium and the EU, and was a researcher and lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Antwerp.
HANS DIELS, FUTURIST
Hans Diels is a futurist and geopolitical expert at Etion’s think tank. With a critical eye on technological, societal and political trends, he shows how disruptive change is reshaping the way we live, work and do business.
As a sought-after speaker and adviser, Hans challenges organisations to look beyond the issues of the day and take future-oriented action.
Hans holds a master’s degree in Political Science from KU Leuven, specialised in International Relations at UCLouvain and studied economics through the London School of Economics’ external programme.
He has facilitated talks and programs for organisations including Bank Delen, Flanders Institute for Logistics, Ryhove, Bank Van Breda, VIVES, AMAB, FD Magazine, CFO Magazine, VKW Limburg, Infino, Group Monument, CM, Biobest, Hanssen Telecom, Solar Shading Europe and the Flemish Education Council.
Topics (Dutch/English)
- Strategy in times of uncertainty
- Leadership under uncertainty
- Scenario thinking
- Trend analysis
- Mega trends
- Europe’s business model under pressure
- Geopolitical disruption
- Geopolitical outlook
Hans is also available as a process facilitator for strategic reflection, foresight exercises and trend analyses, as well as for mapping political risks.
Sneak Peek (In Dutch)
- Z-Extra with Hans Diels on Europe’s business model (Kanaal Z, 23 June 2025)
- The future is no coincidence. Or does not have to be it.
- Why geopolitical conflict is set to increase
- Z-Extra: Hans Diels on the importance of future thinking (Kanaal Z, 30 September 2024)
- Why more migration is inevitable
Publications
In Markt onder vuur (Lannoo Campus, 2024), Hans describes how political conflicts disrupt the economy and what we can do about it.
His other book, Het onzekerheidsvoordeel (Lannoo Campus, 2022), explores how organisations can improve their strategy by examining the future at the intersection of facts and imagination.
His articles on future thinking and political disruption regularly appear in De Tijd, De Standaard and De Morgen, as well as in Belgian and Dutch trade publications.
