I attended the annual research day of The Netherlands Research School of Gender Studies (NOG), which was themed ‘Doing Gender in The Netherlands: TRANS* approaches, methods & concepts.’ The conference showcased the work of junior and senior researchers of Dutch universities on the topics of gender, ethnicity, sexuality and diversity. All in all, a very inspiring day with a really interesting mix of scholars, artists and activists.
Aspasia Travel Grant
I was awarded a competitive Aspasia Travel Grant by Leiden University to initiate and enhance collaborative research projects abroad!
This subsidy is a by-product of the Aspasia Grant from the The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), which is aimed at furthering the careers of young female scientists.
With the help of this travel grant, I will be visiting the lab of Prof. Dr. Betsy Paluck at Princeton University later this year.
Knowledge Platform Integration & Society: Done with Discrimination?
Combatting discrimination is high on the agenda in the Netherlands. To this end, Knowledge Platform Integration & Society (KIS) investigated whether the use of social media campaigns can reduce discrimination. This resulted in a literature review, to which I provided an expert contribution, entitled (translated) “Done with discrimination? Research into the effectiveness of social media campaigns against discrimination”.
The full literature review by Felten, Taouanza, and Keuzenkamp can be found here (in Dutch): “Klaar met Discriminatie?”.
Image Credit: https://www.kis.nl/publicatie/klaar-met-discriminatie
The Morality of Inequality - A multidisciplinary, international workshop
From 9-13 May 2016, my colleagues Naomi Ellemers, Belle Derks, Daan Scheepers, Félice van Nunspeet and Frank Hindriks organized a multidisciplinary, international workshop on the Morality of Inequality. Bringing together perspectives from psychology, philosophy, economics, law, epidemiology and sociology, we spent a full week at the Lorentz center in Leiden to develop a detailed outline of a book in which societal problems relating to inequality are approached from a moral perspective. A week of discussion and integration setting the stage for lasting collaboration.
The workshop participants: Richard Wilkinson, Kate Pickett, Belle Derks, Maddy Power, Félice van Nunspeet, Naomi Ellemers, Irene van Staveren, Neelke Doorn, Jojanneke van der Toorn, Joseph Heath, Piet Groot, Gwen van Eijk, Servaas Storm, Pauline Kleingeld, Fran Hindriks, Sabine Roeser, Daan Scheepers (not in picture).
Fruitful discussions
And a boat trip on the Kaag
Social Psychology in Organizations
I am teaching workgroups on Social Psychology in Organizations, a course where the students form groups and prepare each week’s meetings themselves. First they discuss the contents and connection between two research articles and then illustrate the central concepts with an interactive exercise. By more actively engaging with the material this way, students hopefully process the material more thoroughly and learn additional skills.
Crowd Action and Social Change
Just came back from a two-day workshop at the University of Groningen with Prof. Steve Reicher, organized by Nina Hansen and myself for the PhD students of the Kurt Lewin Institute. The workshop focused on theoretical and methodological approaches to studying crowd action and social change, and was a lot of fun! we were also treated to excellent talks by the PhD students.
Wilco van Dijk inaugurated as professor with much song and dance
Wilco van Dijk gave his inaugural lecture "Understanding Mental Budget" yesterday as he officiallycommenced as Professor by Special Appointment of the Psychological Determinants of Economic Decision Making. The Professorship is a collaboration between Leiden University and the National Institute for Budget counseling (Nibud). Wilco presented a psychological perspective on financial behavior discussing what we can do to gain a healthier approach to managing our finances.
After the ceremony, we moved to a bar for drinks and dinner where a big surprise awaited Wilco: A band made up of his musical colleagues performing a "Money Medley" that was especially arranged for this occasion. The band included Eric de Kwaadsteniet on base, Lotte van Dillen on synthesizer, Daan Scheepers on drums, and Edwin Boezeman on guitar. Marijke van Putten, Said Shafa, Pascalle Tamis and myself provided the vocals. Songs included in the medley: Money for Nothing (Dire Straits), I Need a Dollar (Aloe Blacc), Material Girl (Madonna), and Money Money Money (Abba).
It sounded pretty good but was most of all extremely fun to do! And Wilco's surprised face was worth millions (or a thousand to be precise)...
Protest!
Anouk van Leeuwen defended her dissertation, entitled Protest! Studies on Protest Politicization, Perceived Protest Atmosphere, and Protest Policing, today and I had the honor of serving on her panel.
In an impressive set of studies, Anouk explored how demonstrators experience protest atmospheres, which factors influence these experiences, and how they influence protestors' willingness to join street protests in the future. In addition, she examined the determinants of the degree of protest politicization.
Congratulations on a very strong defense, Anouk!
In her own words
Prof. Belle Derks on the intransigent character of unequal opportunities
Upon accepting her position as full professor at Utrecht University today, Prof. Belle Derks gave an inspiring speech on the intransigent character of unequal opportunities. She argued that setting target figures to increase the proportion of women in high positions is a necessary start, but that more is needed to effectively counteract the persistent mechanisms that maintain gender inequality. In her new role, Prof. Derks will be focusing on psychological perspectives on organizational behavior within institutions.
Read the full speech here (in Dutch)
"Room for Women"
Marking International Women's Day, I attended the opening of a very special exhibition in the university's Senate Chamber today: "Room for Women!"
The photo project is the initiative of Athena’s Angels, four female Leiden professors who advocate for gender equality in academia. As the portrait gallery of famous professors, the Senate Chamber is usually adorned by the portraits of 117 men and a single woman. This month, however, visitors will only see photos of present-day female professors. A clear statement that times have changed, and a very powerful illustration of the subtle ways in which we are "reminded" that scientist = man. I was actually really touched.
For more information, see this news item
Also read this very on-point blog by my colleague Romy van der Lee
