Nouwen is an academic in the areas of international law of peacemaking and justice.
[2] Subsequently, she obtained an MPhil in International Relations and a PhD in Law from the University of Cambridge.
[2] Prior to assuming her academic roles, she worked in international diplomacy for the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs in New York, The Hague, the Netherlands Embassy in Khartoum (2005-2006) and the UK Department for International Development in Darfur advising on transitional justice, peace negotiations, and the rule of law.
[5][6] She was a Senior Fellow of the World Peace Foundation at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Boston.
[4][2] Nouwen has given guest lectures across the world including at universities in Australia, Europe, North America, and Africa.