Ties uses economics and management science to help improve health and social care for individuals and families and to reduce inequalities in health, wellbeing, and length of life. His primary work focuses on the organisation and delivery of services, examining how frontline staff collaborate and manage resources under different organisational structures and arrangements.

Employing statistical modelling and experimentation, he has performed studies on the impact of such organisational adjustments as integrating social care into health-services delivery and implementing performance feedback. He commonly works with (local) governments, service providers, and community-based organisations, both to develop research questions and to ensure that studies produce relevant and specific information.

In addition to his evaluation studies, Ties has published articles on methodology and stakeholder engagement in research. He also has won various awards and fellowships, including from the Netherlands Organisation of Scientific Research and ISPOR for work on information and implementation economics.

Ties previously taught at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of Chicago, University of Glasgow, and Maastricht University. He obtained his doctorate in health economics at Maastricht University and his master’s degree in industrial engineering and management at the University of Twente.