Femke Maij, managing director of the Donders Institute, points out the advantages of this broad approach. “Participant in meetings elsewhere on campus opens doors to entirely new worlds, which connects researchers from various disciplines. The Donders Institute actively encourages that interaction.”
The Centre for Language Studies has been one of the new members of the community since 2023. Professor Enny Das, affiliated with the CLS, sees great benefits in putting new research on the agenda. “We now cover all aspects related to language within one organisation, also through the connection with the Max Planck Institute. The future of research lies in interdisciplinary cooperation.” Das cites as examples the development of AI, such as the further development of ChatGPT, and the increasing diversity of languages in society. “The bond with our students and partners radiates across Donders. We are also strong in social engagement, for example with the festival Kletskoppen.” From brain to street language, this is how Das outlines the breadth of Donders. “Think of the network as one plateau, with now six beautiful cakes on it.”
Maij is aware that the wide orientation of Donders poses a challenge in making Donderians feel part of the Institute, which has now grown to over 800 FTEs. “Thankfully, many people have a sense of being part of Donders,” she says. She recalls the binding power of the Donders Lectures during her time as a postdoc, some 10 years ago. Those bi-monthly lectures in one of the largest halls on campus were always fully booked in no time. The Donders Lectures are still there, now in smaller halls. “The added value of getting together from time to time remains, especially for young researchers. We continue to puzzle to encourage interaction among researchers.” Organizations need to adapt as they grow. After years of discussion, the Donders Institute has become an official part of the university, a unique set-up that is not found at other institutions at this university and perhaps even further.
As of 2023 the Donders Institute includes six partners: the Donders Centre for Cognition, Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Community for Medical Neuroscience, Centre for Language Studies, and the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics. These partners collaborate through the Strategy Board and Management Platform. The Theme leaders form the Research Platform which mainly focuses on the research strategy of the entire DI. All education and research continue to take place within the partners.
The Donders Executive Board, consisting of the Scientific Director and Managing Director, leads the network organisation. They are supported by the Graduate School coordinator, Public Outreach Officer, Citylab officer, and management assistants, who facilitate collaboration among partners. There is a vacancy for a postdoc coordinator to start in fall 2024. Further, the institute has three committees: the Donders Session Committee, the Diversity and Sustainable Science Committee, and the Donders Awards and Prizes Committee. Together we aim to make the researchers lives as easy as possible!
Donders Magazine
This article was published in the Donders Magazine during the summer of 2024. If you would like to receive a copy, please contact info [at] donders.ru.nl.