From train to table: a Friday as a science dean
From meetings in Twente to research decisions and time for real connection over dinner. A glimpse into a busy, but rewarding Friday.
Jasper Knoester is the dean of the Faculty of Science. How is he doing, what exactly does he do and what does his day look like? In each newsletter, Jasper gives an insight into his life.
17 April
‘Friday is usually a day when I travel across the country by train. Often to Groningen, but this time to the University of Twente, where we are meeting for the national gathering of science deans. I’m on the train around nine o’clock, with plenty of time to read meeting papers and answer emails. I really enjoy working on the train: a nice mix of reading, reflecting and writing small pieces, all while watching the landscape roll by.
A green campus
For the final stretch in Enschede, I get on my bike. As the only true campus university in the Netherlands, with lots of green space, it’s always a pleasure to visit. At the faculty I first have a few phone calls and an online meeting with PhD candidate Gijsbert and co-supervisor Thomas from Groningen. Gijsbert is working on how energy is transferred between optically excited states in large molecular systems. This is relevant to our understanding of photosynthetic systems found in nature, and possibly their synthetic counterparts.
Does the project offer high scientific impact, or is it risky?
After completing two projects, we’ve reached an important decision point: which of three new project ideas to pursue next. My preference is the project that connects directly to new measurements in Bayreuth, but it’s also the most uncertain, as the data contain a fundamentally unexplained aspect. On the one hand, that gives it the greatest potential scientific impact; on the other, it poses a risk for Gijsbert, as it may be difficult to obtain results that are clearly publishable. We decide that this project requires a preliminary study, which can run in parallel with a less risky project involving a student.
A Twente lunch in a paper bag
The discussion takes longer than expected. Fortunately, the Twente lunch still reaches me in a paper bag, and I manage to eat it quickly before the meeting with fellow deans begins. It’s a busy meeting, with a full agenda and many participants. Normally we are around fifteen people, but for the first part the chairs of the eight national discipline councils also join us.
Working together across the science domain
With them, we discuss the organisational development of the science domain we jointly represent. It’s important that we strengthen our domain as a whole and speak with one voice to stakeholders on major issues. It’s a good discussion, and as deans we gain valuable insight into the perspectives of the individual disciplines.
Next, we discuss the development of ‘sector profiles’ for the disciplines, as preparation for possible funding of new sector plans by the government. These plans will not start before 2028, and the list of conditions is not yet clear. Still, it’s important to start thinking now about how best to position the science disciplines and where investment will be needed. Finally, we talk with the council chairs about organising applications for large-scale scientific infrastructure.
Time for connection
After the council chairs leave, we move on to a series of smaller agenda items, and I close the meeting at half past five. Then comes a good tradition: we have dinner together and take our time over it, a habit that really contributes to collegiality and mutual connection.
Truly inspiring to see how resilient people can be.
What makes it extra special today is that Jennifer Herek, former science dean of the University of Twente, is also joining us for dinner. Just over a year ago, Jennifer had a very unfortunate cycling accident and went through a demanding rehabilitation process. Today, we formally say goodbye to her as a group. It’s wonderful to see how well she’s doing again. Truly inspiring to see how resilient people can be.
After dinner, I cycle back to the station. On the return journey I add comments to a document and exchange messages with one of my sisters. Meanwhile, a sense of the weekend slowly sets in. I arrive home close to midnight. The family is out of town, and I decide to make good use of the solitude by going straight to bed. It was a fitting end to an extremely busy week, and it feels perfectly fine to be completely on my own for a bit.’