Members

Femke Bekius, Assistent professor at the Nijmegen School of Management

“Bridging formal and social sciences and collaborating in interdisciplinary teams is what drives me. At RYA, I am inspired by the diversity of perspectives. We support, and contribute to the broader recognition of, interdisciplinarity and academic culture.”

Jeanette Mostert, Science communication and associate principal lecturer at Radboudumc

“It is my mission to make Open Science and Science Communication standard academic practice. This can only be done with the right support and recognition. Through the RYA I want to find better ways to support, recognize and reward open science, science communication and public engagement.”

Marieke Oprel, Assistant professor at the Faculty of Arts

“Operating at the intersection between politics, history, and law, I critically explore and explain what has been written, said, and done to gain a clear understanding of the impact of the past on present and future events. As a member of the Radboud Young Academy, I support and organise interdisciplinary and interfaculty initiatives which a) generate new knowledge and insights and b) stimulate political and societal debates within and beyond academia.”

Daniela Patru, Operations manager at the Nijmegen School of Management

"Who do we want to be, as an academic community and organization, and what do we need to get there? By bringing together members with diverse perspectives and backgrounds, spanning disciplinary and functional boundaries, the RYA strives to help answer these questions."

Marleen Termeer, Assistant professor at the Faculty of Arts

"Academic research often reaches the news with exciting discoveries and innovations. But it is more than that: it fosters curiosity, reflects on society, and helps to create mutual understanding. To fully realize this potential, we need to communicate across disciplinary and cultural boundaries, both within and beyond university. As a member of RYA, I hope to contribute to an open academic culture, where people feel safe to share their ideas and learn from each other."

Sanne Dekker, Head of WKRU - Science Hub Radboud University

"In my work at the Science Education Hub I enjoy working together with researchers from different backgrounds on science education projects. It is great to make children enthusiastic about science. Through participation in the RYA, I strive to make a positive contribution to the academic culture at the Radboud University and to promote interdisciplinary activities."

Béatrice Bonga, Assistant professor at the Faculty of Science

"Science goes beyond finding innovative solutions to societal problems: it also can be simply beautiful to better understand (parts of) our universe. This joy of discovery should be accessible to all, and therefore I contribute to RYA’s goals to improve the academic climate for all members of Radboud University."

Gaby Contreras, Assistant professor at the Nijmegen School of Management

''I believe in an academic culture based on inclusive meritocracy, where people of all backgrounds regardless of color, size, accent, or sexual orientation are treated fairly and given the merit, space, and opportunities when deserved. As a member of the RYA, I work towards making of this idealization of academic culture a reality.''

Bryan Da Costa Souza, Postdoc at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and the Faculty of Science

"Education is one of the most powerful tools to promote changes. It invites us to a praxis, an indissociable form of listen-act-reflecting on our experienced world, that nourishes our own and others’ autonomy. RYA is a fertile environment to bridge Education inside the university with the changes we need in society."

Frederik van Dam, Assistant professor at the Faculty of Arts
RYA chair from January 2023

"The complex, webbed structure of the contemporary university creates barriers for academics who work and think across the boundaries of their faculties. As member of the RYA, I am hoping to find ways to make transversal connections visible and to stimulate interdisciplinary collaboration, in teaching as well as in research."

Jeroen Dera, Assistant professor at the Faculty of Arts

"Academic education sometimes feels like pressure-cooking, although it is widely known that slow cooking guarantees the best quality. As a member of the Radboud Young Academy, I therefore hope to spark important discussions on educational policy and didactics."

Friederike Landau-Donnally, Assistant professor at the Nijmegen School of Management

"I am a passionate member of the RYA because I consider this inter-faculty network a crucial infrastructure to intervene in academic politics and policies. In my view, we need an academic culture and practice of care to further advance intersectional, inclusive and sustainable futures both within Radboud and beyond!"

Kalijn Bol, Clinical doctor / researcher at the Radboudumc

"Science and care at the highest level in Nijmegen and a workplace to be proud of. From a different perspective, we see different challenges and opportunities to pursue these goals. Standing still is going backwards."

Shari Boodts, Senior researcher at the Faculty of Arts

"The RYA shows that the university thrives on teamwork. I want to make sure that every employee experiences that feeling of ’team spirit’. Working together towards a greater goal, across faculties and disciplines, should be a fundamental characteristic of academia.”

Inti Brazil, Associate professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences

Mark Dingemanse, Associate professor at the Faculty of Arts

"Science is a public good. My goal at the RYA is to help build a better academia where everybody flourishes: more open house than ivory tower"

Martin Dresler, Associate professor at the Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging and the Radboudumc

"Getting closer to solutions of complex problems, be they scientific or meta-scientific, requires interdisciplinary discourse. This is the core idea of an academy, and makes much of the appeal to participate."

Chris Dols, Conservator Radboud Heritage at the University Library

Jorge Domínguez-Andrés, Researcher at the Radboudumc

"We academics have a great power of which we are not aware. But we have to work together. The RYA will work on new tools to increase the ties and promote communication in local, national and international contexts. Academia is community.​"

Lize Glas, Associate professor at the Faculty of Law

Mariska Kleemans, Associate professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences

Lotte Krabbenborg, Associate professor at the Faculty of Science

Niels Niessen, Researcher at the Faculty of Arts

Eelke Spaak, Assistant professor at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and the Faculty of Social Sciences
RYA chair from January 2021 until December 2022

"The generation of knowledge, insight, and innovation flourishes when diversely talented academics are able to pursue their curiosity freely. RYA both supports this curiosity itself, through interdisciplinary content-based initiatives, as well as promotes a healthy academia without perverse incentives. This is why I feel at home as a member."

Niels Spierings, Associate professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences

Nora Stel, Assistent professor at the Nijmegen School of Management
RYA chair from May 2022

“For me, the RYA stands for inspiration through interdisciplinary exchange and outside-the-box collaboration. With the RYA's fresh perspective, we try to help consolidate and expand the university's unique societal position as a hub of original thinking and critical analysis.”

Renée Wagenvoorde, Student advisor and project lead at the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies

Fleur Zeldenrust, Assistant professor at the Faculty of Science

"I find working together with scientists from different fields and backgrounds very inspiring. I believe such different perspectives are needed to solve the complicated problems we are dealing with, both purely scientific and regarding academic culture."