Supervisor of the year election Is your supervisor your superhero?

6 November 2017

Role models and superheroes are probably as old as humanity, and I bet all of us have had at least one.

I’m pretty sure my first role model where the ninja turtles -and I secretly force my Spanish accent when I speak Dutch, because I know they are all under the spell of Queen Maxima. But I promise I don’t get into wild fights too often anymore. And let’s not start about marrying a prince Alexander. However, I still like observing what’s good in people. Then I take these good things into mental notes: “If I’m ever there, tell future me to do this” or “Next time I should say it like this too”. I would say these are my adulthood role models. Sometimes I even come across people who are a bit like a superhero: they really make me wonder how they do it…! Maybe if I pay attention they’ll slip their secret out.

At the PhD Council we’ve been talking about that, and we want to propose a game to you: let’s look for the RIMLS superheroes! Is your supervisor the super-mama (or papa) who has two children at home and ten PhD candidates, but still knows exactly what everyone is doing? Is he or she everywhere, but still always on time and managing to detect your typos in the Power Point? Is your supervisor a walking encyclopaedia, and even has brain left for a great sense of humour? Or maybe you have someone who could even make you enthusiastic about a GWAS analysis to identify the genes involved in successful ball shaping by the dung beetle.
If your supervisor is one of these daily superheroes, send us their name and give us three reasons why he or she should become “Supervisor of the year”. Let’s start 2018 acknowledging the great minds who  inspire the researchers of the future!
This blog is written by Estel Collado Camps

Is your supervisor your superhero? Inscribe him or her to compete for the “Supervisor of the year” title! All you need to do is fill in your supervisor’s name and 3 reasons why he or she is a source of inspiration. The name of the submitter will remain anonymous. Deadline is 1 December, shortly after which the three nominees will be announced. The winner will be chosen by public vote and will be announced at the New Year’s Drinks, 16 January 2018. Be creative and participate, they deserve it!

Please send your nomination to: Postbus RIMLS