Birgit van Driel
columnist
Birgit van Driel started working as a Policy Officer at Strategic Development in 2021. She returned to TU Delft where she started her studies back in 2006. She’s been affiliated to the Faculties of IDE (first year), AS (bachelor’s) and 3mE (PhD). After earning her PhD, she worked as a Strategy Consultant at Kearney and a Program Officer at NWO-AES.
After 20 columns, Birgit van Driel looks back and embraces her optimism as a strength in these uncertain times. After all, what if anger is not your style?
Birgit van Driel was in Central America and Colombia for four months and was amazed by the feeling of community and friendliness. She thinks that we at TU Delft can learn from this.
Birgit van Driel learned a lot when she was at university, both about her subject and about herself. She shares some tips with first year students to get the most out of their student life.
Columnist Birgit van Driel is annoyed by the attitude of the activists on campus. Her message to them: think of a different strategy to convince your interlocutor.
Columnist Birgit van Driel is surprised about the lack of self-reflection in society. She believes that politicians and administrators should look – publicly – in the mirror more often.
The media storm around the new Rutger Bregman book also got columnist Birgit van Driel thinking. She now wonders if she is wasting her talent.
Birgit van Driel thinks that there is not enough emphasis on nuance in communications about science in the media.
Columnist Birgit van Driel is fed up with everyone saying that she has done a difficult study and believes that this stigma has negative consequences for the Netherlands.
Columnist Birgit van Driel delves into the Cursor issue and calls on Dutch university newspapers to address the underlying systemic issues.
Columnist Birgit van Driel sees no benefit in getting rid of cum laude and argues for a broad shift in culture where you do not always need to be the very best.
Columnist Birgit van Driel enjoyed living at the JvB while studying very much. She would like all students to have a wonderful student life and a close group of housemates.
Columnist Birgit van Driel wonders why NWO does not use chance for the allocation of research grants. She is happy that the subject of drawing lots starts to gain traction.
It struck Birgit van Driel that there were few people at the International Women’s Day event. Inspired by the omdenken-show, she came up with an idea.
Columnist Birgit van Driel believes that it is essential that scientists collaborate. But she also argues for healthy rivalry to speed up scientific breakthroughs.
Words are important and influence our thinking. Metaphors even more so. Columnist Birgit van Driel goes in search of a new metaphor for academia.
Columnist Birgit van Driel gives a shout out to children as society’s youngest scientist from which academics at university can learn more than they might imagine.
Columnist Birgit van Driel wondered about the importance and risks associated with academic traditions. To gown or not to gown? That is the question.
Columnist Birgit van Driel believes that the emphasis on passion in science is problematic, and even dangerous. Being free of it would save a lot of problems.
Our new columnist Birgit van Driel wants an end to the obligatory matchmaking events for scientists applying for funding. There are much more efficient and fun ways to do it.
