Farewell to a Bridge-Builder
Over the past two years, the institute has undergone important developments under the leadership of Scientific Director, Professor Hanneke Hulst. She also steered the Institute with passion and determination through this tumultuous period. She leaves behind a strong, resilient and forward-looking organisation. The Institute Board of Psychology would like to thank her for her enormous dedication to the Institute of Psychology with a farewell message.
Bridges between fundamental and clinical research
As a neuroscientist, Hanneke has been committed to better understanding and treating cognitive impairments in people with multiple sclerosis, using, among other things, advanced MRI techniques and digital tools such as the Multiple Screener. In doing so, she continuously builds bridges between fundamental and clinical research, between the laboratory and society. She has done so in recent years in Leiden as Professor of Neuropsychology in Health and Disease and as unit chair at Health, Medical and Neuropsychology.
Leadership is in an academic environment
As Scientific Director, Hanneke was at the helm in a turbulent period: Recognition & Rewards, Open Science, the arrival of GROW, national debates on the outline agreement, strikes, and the aftermath of losing her colleague and predecessor Andrea Evers. In that context, Hanneke showed how important leadership is in an academic environment. Drawing on her work for The Young Academy and her efforts to promote greater diversity in academic profiles (‘Let us stop expecting all qualities to be embodied in one person.’), she argued for room for diverse talent and actively tried to give that vision concrete form in Leiden.
Seeking solutions together
Anyone who has popped by Hanneke’s office will recognise her style: A clear presence, a real straight shooter and a strong moral heading on the compass – a clear true north in matters that are not only about rules, but about people. At the same time, she remained, characteristically, a team player: someone who prefers to seek solutions together. On top of that came her resilience and the willingness to name difficult issues without any façade. And her humour: the ability to laugh together at the apparent impossibility of some questions, just enough to keep things bearable, never in a way that trivialised their importance.
Research, education, outreach and care for people
In addition to her role within the institute, Hanneke was visible in the wider academic and societal arena: as general manager of the Brein in Beeld Foundation, in popular columns for the MS community, at Breinfestival, and through her roles in Recognition & Rewards and The Young Academy. In doing so, she embodied a form of academic leadership that seeks to connect research, education, outreach and care for people.
Centre for Brain Research
The fact that Hanneke is now taking the step to Auckland, where she will become Professor of Brain Research and Director of the Centre for Brain Research, and will be setting up a new MS research centre, fits that profile: building bridges, pushing boundaries, creating impact. We know that her new colleagues in New Zealand are gaining a sharp thinker, and someone who, in the very first meeting, will already be asking: ‘Fine plan. But for whom exactly are we doing this, and what will they gain from it?’
Kindness from within
As the Board, we look back with great appreciation on her term as Scientific Director. She leaves behind an institute that is acutely aware of its role in science, education and society, and that – thanks to her constant advocacy of kindness from within – has also become a little more humane and braver.
Hanneke, the entire Board thanks you for your tireless commitment, your positive mindset, your incisive questions, your visible engagement, your fighting spirit, your humour and your kindness. We shall miss you. We wish you all the very best and every success with your new step in New Zealand. Go well