Laura van Hasselt is a lecturer in Public History and postdoctoral researcher in the Amsterdam Diaries Project, both at the University of Amsterdam.

In November 2022, she defended her dissertation (co-funded by ASH): Geld, geloof en goede vrienden. Piet van Eeghen en de metamorfose van Amsterdam, 1816-1889 (Money, Faith and Good Friends). The popular edition was published in January 2023 by Uitgeverij Balans. The book was well received in the Dutch media, notably in The Volkskrant, which gave a five star review and listed Geld, geloof en goede vrienden as one of the ten best books of 2023.

Laura was interviewed about her book both on national radio and local television (AT5). A national television appearance will be broadcast in the fall of 2024 in Het verhaal van Amsterdam. Her book was also mentioned in the Amsterdam City Council and by the mayor (Femke Halsema), as an example for social entrepreneurs in present day Amsterdam.

Laura regularly gives lectures on the topic of her dissertation, for groups varying from the Royal Antiquarian Society at the Rijksmuseum to the Friends of the Amsterdam Inner City. Furthermore, she has curated a small exhibition on Van Eeghen at the Amsterdam City Archives, which was on view from the book launch until April 2023. She is currently preparing a larger exhibition on Van Eeghen (and his art collection) for the Amsterdam Museum at the Amstel, to be opened 30 March 2024.