I am teaching workgroups on Social Psychology in Organizations, a course where the students form groups and prepare each week’s meetings themselves. First they discuss the contents and connection between two research articles and then illustrate the central concepts with an interactive exercise. By more actively engaging with the material this way, students hopefully process the material more thoroughly and learn additional skills.
Crowd Action and Social Change
Just came back from a two-day workshop at the University of Groningen with Prof. Steve Reicher, organized by Nina Hansen and myself for the PhD students of the Kurt Lewin Institute. The workshop focused on theoretical and methodological approaches to studying crowd action and social change, and was a lot of fun! we were also treated to excellent talks by the PhD students.
Wilco van Dijk inaugurated as professor with much song and dance
Wilco van Dijk gave his inaugural lecture "Understanding Mental Budget" yesterday as he officiallycommenced as Professor by Special Appointment of the Psychological Determinants of Economic Decision Making. The Professorship is a collaboration between Leiden University and the National Institute for Budget counseling (Nibud). Wilco presented a psychological perspective on financial behavior discussing what we can do to gain a healthier approach to managing our finances.
After the ceremony, we moved to a bar for drinks and dinner where a big surprise awaited Wilco: A band made up of his musical colleagues performing a "Money Medley" that was especially arranged for this occasion. The band included Eric de Kwaadsteniet on base, Lotte van Dillen on synthesizer, Daan Scheepers on drums, and Edwin Boezeman on guitar. Marijke van Putten, Said Shafa, Pascalle Tamis and myself provided the vocals. Songs included in the medley: Money for Nothing (Dire Straits), I Need a Dollar (Aloe Blacc), Material Girl (Madonna), and Money Money Money (Abba).
It sounded pretty good but was most of all extremely fun to do! And Wilco's surprised face was worth millions (or a thousand to be precise)...
Protest!
Anouk van Leeuwen defended her dissertation, entitled Protest! Studies on Protest Politicization, Perceived Protest Atmosphere, and Protest Policing, today and I had the honor of serving on her panel.
In an impressive set of studies, Anouk explored how demonstrators experience protest atmospheres, which factors influence these experiences, and how they influence protestors' willingness to join street protests in the future. In addition, she examined the determinants of the degree of protest politicization.
Congratulations on a very strong defense, Anouk!
In her own words
Prof. Belle Derks on the intransigent character of unequal opportunities
Upon accepting her position as full professor at Utrecht University today, Prof. Belle Derks gave an inspiring speech on the intransigent character of unequal opportunities. She argued that setting target figures to increase the proportion of women in high positions is a necessary start, but that more is needed to effectively counteract the persistent mechanisms that maintain gender inequality. In her new role, Prof. Derks will be focusing on psychological perspectives on organizational behavior within institutions.
Read the full speech here (in Dutch)
"Room for Women"
Marking International Women's Day, I attended the opening of a very special exhibition in the university's Senate Chamber today: "Room for Women!"
The photo project is the initiative of Athena’s Angels, four female Leiden professors who advocate for gender equality in academia. As the portrait gallery of famous professors, the Senate Chamber is usually adorned by the portraits of 117 men and a single woman. This month, however, visitors will only see photos of present-day female professors. A clear statement that times have changed, and a very powerful illustration of the subtle ways in which we are "reminded" that scientist = man. I was actually really touched.
For more information, see this news item
Also read this very on-point blog by my colleague Romy van der Lee
Culture and Diversity at Work
Today I taught the first lecture of Culture and Diversity at Work, a course I care deeply about. I introduced the topic by discussing what diversity is and by giving an overview of group inequalities in the Netherlands. Students seemed into it and I already look forward to the second lecture when we'll get to discuss self-fulfilling prophecies and other challenges that members of stigmatized groups face on the work floor.
Image: Ole Houen via Creative Commons
ASPO Conference 2015
This year the annual conference of the Association for Dutch Social Psychology conveniently took place right outside my doorstep, at the University of Amsterdam. An intimate gathering where a cross-section of Dutch social psychologists shares its latest research.
I presented my work on the psychological underpinnings of national attachment; a somewhat older project, cast in a new light by connecting it to the symposium's theme of "Looking for Prejudice Where it Doesn’t Belong."
Melissa Vink, my former graduate student who is currently pursuing a PhD at Utrecht University, presented her thesis research "On Being Different: Effective and Inclusive Diversity Policies for Both Majority and Minority Group Members." One of her first presentations and already impressing the crowd!
Political Psychology Conference
Back from maternity leave with a bang with a very successful first installment of the regional Political Psychology Conference at the University of Amsterdam! Co-organized with Bert Bakker, Yphtach Lelkes, Mark Dechesne and Alina Feinholdt. A program chock full of exciting new research and over a hundred attendees.
Inspired by success of the biannual Political Psychology Meetings we organize, the conference brings together scholars and practitioners with diverse involvement in politics, allowing to bridge theory and practice, exchange ideas, and explore mutually reinforcing avenues for further study. This way, we hope to contribute to a close-knit regional network by inspiring collaboration within and across national borders and to facilitate the dialogue between political psychologists and practitioners of politics on how social science can inform society and vice versa. Check out the program here
VIVA400 Award Ceremony
What a fun night! The award went to another bright mind, but I met a number of amazing and inspiring women who each work and play like pros. Thanks VIVA, for the introduction!
