In Memoriam Benedict Dellaert

It is with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of Professor Benedict Dellaert on August 20, 2025. He died at the age of 57.

Benedict was, for many of us, a true inspiration. Since joining the Marketing section at Erasmus School of Economics in 2006, he became a cornerstone of our academic community. A world-renowned expert in choice modeling and decision-making, he distinguished himself as a scholar, mentor, and colleague whose passion shaped both research and teaching.

Over the years, Benedict took on several key leadership roles, including Head of the Marketing Section and Director of the Department of Business Economics. He also guided the school’s policies through his dedicated service on the Council for the Appointments & Promotions  and the Research Advisory Committee. In every role, he combined intellectual rigor with generosity of spirit, leaving a lasting impact on our institution.

Benedict’s research advanced our understanding of (financial) decision making, consumer-firm interactions, choice architecture, and co-production in the digital economy. His influential work explored the effects of online recommendations, consumer decision outcomes, and innovations in the sharing economy. His scientific work was widely published in top journals and continues to shape the field.

Beyond Erasmus School of Economics, Benedict was deeply engaged in the academic community. He served as Research Theme Coordinator at Netspar, was a Fellow of ERIM, and a Research Fellow at the Tinbergen Institute. His international career included positions at the University of Sydney, Tilburg University, Maastricht University, and Monash University in Melbourne.

With his passing, we have lost not only an outstanding scholar and colleague but also a dear friend. Many of us cherish fond memories of his kindness, wisdom, and humour. His absence will be deeply felt, yet his influence will remain with us in our work and in our hearts.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Benedict’s family and loved ones, wishing them strength and comfort in this difficult time. The Marketing section will, in due course, find a fitting way to commemorate Benedict’s life and contributions, and we will share further details in the near future.

On behalf of the management team of Erasmus School of Economics,

 

Dean Prof. Patrick Groenen