BSI Day 2026

Abstract
How can we help young people thrive in a world marked by rapid change, growing inequalities, and complex challenges that no single discipline can solve? In this presentation, Catrin Finkenauer explores why building resilience in and around young people calls for an interdisciplinary approach. She invites researchers, educators, professionals, and institutions to consider how we can collaborate across disciplines and sectors to create environments that foster the growth, resilience and development of young people.

Biography Catrin Finkenauer
Prof. Dr. Catrin Finkenauer is Professor of Youth Studies at Utrecht University and Scientific Director of the university’s strategic theme Dynamics of Youth. Her research focuses on the power of relationships: how people influence one another in parent–child relationships, friendships, and romantic relationships, and how these relationships contribute to development, well-being, and resilience. Through her work, she aims to better understand how we can strengthen connections and prevent misunderstandings and conflicts.

Abstract
During this interactive presentation, Dirk van Gorp (Chief Open Science Radboud University) will highlight the main problems with our current publishing landscape, and how a new (open access) publishing strategy aims to address these issues. 

Biography
Dirk van Gorp has been active in the field of open access and open science since 2015. As Chief Open Science Officer at Radboud University, he is involved in national initiatives, including UNL's open science agenda, the national open access strategy, and Taverne & rights retention.

Abstract
In this presentation, Linda takes you into the Wonderful World of Funding. Based on her own experience, she shows that sometimes there is another door to research funding.
Using a personal example—her research on parent–infant interaction in babies with hypotonia—she explains how private foundations can be a realistic alternative. She discusses what foundation funding involves, which criteria foundations use, and most importantly: what you can practically do to increase your chances, from involving stakeholders to working with experienced fundraisers.
Her message to future researchers is clear: even when the big grant doors remain closed, you don’t have to stand there without a key.

Biography
Linda Reus is a lecturer in Pedagogical and Educational Sciences. How do children develop, and how can we support those for whom this does not come naturally? This question led her from a dance academy to study Psychology and Cognitive Science at Radboud University. Linda obtained her PhD in 2014 with a dissertation on motor development in children with Prader-Willi Syndrome at Radboudumc. During her years as a lecturer, she contributed to the development of the Beweging-als-houvast (Movement-as-anchor) methodology. In her more recent research, she has applied this methodology to develop a parent program aimed at strengthening parent-infant interaction in infants with hypotonia (severely reduced muscle tone).

Abstract
To draw up a BSI research agenda, we investigated which themes affect young people (16-25 years) among young people, their parents, researchers, and professionals. Participants indicated themes that they feel are most important for us to investigate. Here we present the first results of this study.

Biographies
Anne Sadza is an assistant professor in Communication Science at the Behavioural Science Institute at Radboud University. Her research focuses primarily on adolescents' and young adults' engagement with both traditional and social media. She is particularly interested in the ways in which young people interpret and give meaning to potentially problematic or risky media content, as well as how this relates to their perceptions of these themes and behaviors in the offscreen world. Furthermore, she is interested in the roles of the social context, such as parents, peers, and educators herein through both formal and informal ways of media literacy education and socialization. Methodologically, she uses a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods, focusing primarily on focus groups, interviews, content analyses, and survey research. Together with Renske van der Cruijsen she is currently developing a platform to conduct participatory research with young people, aiming to give them an active voice and role in research into social issues that affect them.

Renske van de Cruijsen is assistant professor in the developmental psychopathology department of the BSI. She is interested in all that relates to adolescents’ and young adults’ development. Specifically, she combines qualitative and quantitative methods to study for example youth wellbeing, self-concept, and attitudes towards and knowledge about climate change.  Together with Anne Sadza she is currently developing a platform to conduct participatory research with young people, aiming to give them an active voice and role in research into societal issues that affect them.

Abstract
Addressing the climate emergency requires significant system change and individual behaviour change.  The good news is that most of these changes will yield significant co-benefits for public health, social cohesion, and social justice.  I will propose specific ways in which behavioural scientists at all career stages can contribute to unlocking these co-benefits and illustrate this with research from my own lab. 

Biography Esther Papies
Esther Papies is a social and health psychologist, and an expert in behaviour change in the domains of health and climate change. Her research team examines the social and psychological processes in transitioning to a healthier, more sustainable and more equitable society. She has published extensively on what motivates eating and drinking behaviour, the motivations and barriers for reducing meat and dairy intake, the motivation for climate action among privileged individuals, emotional experiences with climate change, and other topics related to behaviour change and sustainability.

Longitudinal data allow researchers to test directional hypotheses and explain changes in perceptions and behaviours. To do so effectively, theoretical conceptualisations of change must align with the statistical models used to assess it. This interactive workshop reviews key conceptualisations of change and the statistical approaches suited to each. You will also discuss challenges from your own research. The workshop aims to help you better match your assessment strategies to your underlying theories of change.

Trainer: Bill Burk

Based on the recent developments in AI, new policies were developed on a local and national level to guarantee good, responsible and value-driven research practices in the future. In this workshop, we build on earlier BSI-day discussions about how to deal with developments in AI. Together, we will work with the new RU policy for AI & Research and the revised KNAW code of conduct for research integrity and explore whether and how AI should and could be used in our daily research practices. 

Trainer: Barbara Müller

Even with the best intentions, communication in supervision teams can be challenging. This workshop offers a safe space for PhD candidates and supervisors to explore how feedback, dialogue, and communication styles influence collaboration and trust. Through fictional cases and practical frameworks, you will gain insight into common communication patterns and learn how to approach conversations more constructively.

Trainer: Griet Coupé

A mindfulness workshop to experience what mindfulness is, for beginners and advanced practitioners – you are all welcome. 

Trainer: Johan Karremans

Needle felting is a traditional technique that uses simple movements to felt loose wool fibres into solid shapes, structures, or small objects. 
Whether you need focus, relaxation, or just want to try something new, this workshop is an accessible and inspiring way to rediscover your creative energy.

Video example needle felting

Trainer: Anna Aumeistere

Deadline signing up: 13 May

Awarding extra efforts

To support outstanding student achievements, each year at the BSI day, a talented research master student is presented with a student award. We are well aware that doing research in behavioural science is more than writing high-quality papers. It means:

• Collecting data, sometimes in hard-to-reach populations;
• working with complex datasets or performing complex analyses;
• troubleshooting
• forging collaborations;
• sharing knowledge and skills. 

These extra efforts can make a significant impact on science. Therefore, this award considers the extra efforts that can make a project thrive.

For the “Passion for Research Award," we seek nominations for students who excel not only as researchers but also as collaborative team members who have consistently exceeded expectations. 

So this can be in terms of:

• writing the thesis;
• the process (for example, they put a lot of effort into data collection, forged important collaborations, go through great lengths to collect or analyse data, find creative solutions to pending problems or help others by sharing code or visualising data);
• despite his/her/its personal situation.

If you or anyone else qualifies for this, this award may be for you or your (fellow) student!

Who

Students can be nominated by:

• their supervisor
• a peer
• they can self-nominate
   

Nomination letter

Would you like to nominate yourself or a (fellow) student? Please write and upload a nomination letter of no more than ½ a page describing why the nominee should win the Passion for Research Award before 22 May. Supervisors are also more than welcome to nominate their students. 

The nomination letter will be read by a committee.

Pitch & poster

Are you ready to showcase your research and connect with your fellow BSI colleagues? Join us at the Poster & Pitch session, where you'll have the opportunity to present your work and receive valuable feedback. You will not only learn from others, but you'll also receive compliments on your hard work. And the best part? You don't need to prepare a full presentation. Just a short pitch and a stunning poster will do. 

Who can pitch?

Anyone who conducts research for the BSI can pitch. This includes full, assistant, and associate professors, research master students, PhDs (external/internal), postdocs, and research assistants.

Signing up

Please sign up your poster by 5 June, 2026.

Award

If you want your poster to be considered for the Best Poster Award, please send a digital version (PDF or PowerPoint) to the PhD Platform before 28 May 2026. Our intranet contains more information.

Print your poster

If you are participating with a poster, please send your poster (A0 format) to the Copyshop at postprint-cf [at] ru.nl, and they will print it for you. After one or two days, you may collect it free from the Copyshop on campus. To ensure your poster is ready on time, we recommend visiting the Copyshop as early as possible, preferably between 1-9 June. When printing, please use the BSI logo or poster template available on our website, and inform the Copyshop that you are printing for BSI Day 2026.

Location posters

On 11th June, please bring your poster to the BSI Day and display it on one of the poster boards  (the location will be announced later) before the programme starts.

With the introduction of the BSI Societal Impact Award, starting this year, we will put colleagues who contribute to the societal and scientific impact of their research in the spotlight. The award is intended for anyone who is committed to this cause—from small initiatives to larger projects within and/or outside the BSI.

Examples of activities to which contributions are regularly made:

• Contributions to media items (television, radio, podcasts). For example, participation in the Jeugdjournaal (youth news programme) or other public programmes.
• Giving workshops, training courses and lectures at, for example, schools, to professionals, colleagues and policymakers.
• Participation in research events for general public.
• Initiatives for translating research into practice.
• Open science initiatives.
   

Nomination

Researchers can be nominated by BSI colleagues, but you can also nominate yourself.

Nomination letter

Would you like to nominate yourself or a BSI colleague? Write and upload a nomination letter of no more than ½ page before 22 May, describing why the nominee should win the Societal Impact Award.

The nomination letter will be read by a committee.

This year, the BSI Open Science Award will focus on scientific rigor.

It aims to recognise a colleague or team that has worked to promote or enhance scientific rigour (for example, by organising or developing initiatives, etc.).

You can nominate yourself or others, and we require:

1. The name(s) of the person(s) being nominated.
2. A brief explanation of up to 200 words justifying the nomination.
3. The reason for the nomination in up to two sentences (which we can then present at the awards ceremony).

Submit your nomination no later than 22 May.