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Science & Education 12 October 2020

‘1 in 5 PhD students experience undesirable conduct’

From screaming supervisors to professors wanting hugs, many PhD students experience undesirable conduct, warns interest group PNN. Whistle-blowing often yields no results. “It was made clear to me that I would not win anyway.”
Science & Education 24 September 2020

How should we recognise and reward scientists?

LONGREAD – Scientists teach, lead their department and share their insights with the general public. They are going to receive more recognition for this kind of work. But is it at the expense of their research?
Science & Education 14 September 2020

PhD students afraid to look for another supervisor

Many PhD students who feel trapped in an unpleasant working relationship with their supervisor are hesitant to switch supervisors. They are afraid that it could harm their career, according to a survey by the PhD Network Netherlands (PNN). “It would…
Science & Education 11 September 2020

Growth Fund: is science about to get the money it’s been asking for?

Over the next few years, the government will spend €20 billion on education & research, innovation and infrastructure. Is this the major investment that teaching staff and academics have been crying out for?
Science & Education 8 September 2020

Counting springtails in an uncommon lab

Some scientific research is not only fascinating or useful, but also photogenic. Ecologist Oscar Franken built a charming lab to simulate extreme weather for research into biodiversity.
Science & Education 4 September 2020

6 million available for mental health advice

The European Union (EU) has awarded a 6 million euro grant to research conducted by Marit Sijbrandij, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, and her partners. The study focuses on the long and short-term effects of the coronavirus crisis on mental…
Science & Education 28 August 2020

‘A derailing social discussion is a risk factor’

VU Amsterdam will collaborate with Huawei, as was announced this week. Three Amsterdam professors in Computer Science will use an investment from the controversial Chinese technology giant to improve search engines. According to professor Frank van Harmelen, it is really…
Science & Education 27 August 2020

Populist worldview almost inevitably spawns conspiracy theories

LONGREAD – ‘What you believe determines how you act’, says social psychologist Jan-Willem van Prooijen. With the news that many people believe Covid-19 is being spread by a foreign power, should we be worried?
Science & Education 17 July 2020

Scientists hold a bike protest against temporary contracts this year

No big banners, but bring your bicycle spanners! Scientists are planning a protest on wheels for the opening of the new academic year. With the aptly named ‘Tour of Academics’, they want to make a stand against the high number…
Science & Education 14 July 2020

Emergency letter: extra support needed for young scientists

Due to the coronavirus crisis many young scientists on temporary contracts cannot complete their research on time. In an emergency letter, they have asked Minister Van Engelshoven for financial aid in the form of 350 million euros that they can…