Cross Faculty Catapult Grant
During this meeting, Irene Gottgens presented the interdisciplinary project she conducted together with Annelies Kleinherenbrink (Faculty of Social Sciences): Strategic Essentialism and the Concept of “Vrouwenhart”, which was made possible by the Cross Faculty Catapult Grant. In conversation with the audience, she shared their experiences and reflected on the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, as well as the opportunities and challenges that arise when working across disciplinary boundaries. She emphasized how important it is to develop a shared language within the collaboration.
An illustrator played a valuable role in this process by helping to formulate the right questions and clarify complex ideas. Challenges that emerged during the project: the same concept can be interpreted differently across disciplines, there can be a gap between ‘what patients say and what doctors hear’, and some differences in perspective are difficult to bridge. In response, the team highlighted several key insights. First, it is essential to invest in relationships before focusing on productivity. Second, an illustrator or other visual thinker can help mediate conversations and reduce misunderstandings. Finally, they stressed the importance of not trying to resolve differences too quickly, but instead holding space for them and exploring the “in‑between”, where new insights and forms of collaboration can emerge.
Interview Saskia Lavrijssen; recognition and rewards
Following, an interview was held with the Dean of Management Sciences, Saskia Lavrijssen, focusing on the theme of Recognition and Rewards within Radboud University. The conversation highlighted that this theme is relevant not only to academic staff, but also to employees in professional services.
Saskia Lavrijsen emphasized that recognition and rewards require a broader movement and a cultural shift within the university. This is not something that can be achieved overnight, but rather a gradual process/movement that takes time and sustained effort. Radboud University is already taking important steps in this direction, for example by creating diverse career development paths with different focuses and opportunities.
She also stressed the importance of well‑equipped leadership. Supervisors play a key role in guiding employees and need to be aware of the various possibilities and career paths available. By training and supporting them, the university builds a foundation for an organizational culture in which talent in all its forms is seen, recognized, and valued.
Recognition and Rewards Prize
During the final part of the session, the RYA Recognition and Rewards Prize was awarded. This prize celebrates colleagues who contribute, each in their own way, to a healthy and effective work environment within Radboud University and Radboudumc. All employees were invited to nominate one or more colleagues, resulting in more than 40 nominations that reflect the many ways people support and strengthen their workplace community.
From this pool of nominations, six winners/winning teams were selected by lottery. Each of them received a €500 gift certificate in recognition of their valuable contributions. The winners are:
Lorenz Verelst
Jill van der Kamp
Nicola Rijzewijk
Josette Wolthuis & Saskia Kroonenberg
Michal Mochtak
Tim Vriens, Rares Radulescu