Wieke joined the University in 2022 as Director of the Cultural Institute (CI). Together with the team, she sets the overall strategy of the CI, ensuring our work is relevant, effective and well understood by the University community and our cultural communities in West Yorkshire.
Wieke is driven by the transformational power of culture and its potential as a catalyst for change in bringing joy, connection, and wellbeing in the face of increasing social injustice, polarisation and the climate crisis.
Wieke worked in dance for over 30 years, at Yorkshire Dance, Northern Ballet, and Sadler’s Wells Theatre as a choreographer and teacher. Born and raised in the Netherlands, she lives in North Leeds with her partner Sarah and their daughter.