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I was born in 1988 as the daughter of a Flemish mother and a Dutch father. I work for the SGBO at the department of Primary Care. The SGBO is the speciality training for occupational and insurance physicians. Currently, we have approximately 220 physicians in training. I co-ordinate the courses on communication in both curricula, teach doctor-patient communication skills and work as an advisor in qualitative research. And oh yes, I am ‘Chef Parties’. I organise our events, webinars, outings, etc.
Where do you live?
I live in Nijmegen near Keizer Karelplein with a friend, two chickens: Cowboy and TokTok; and two rabbits: Willem and Pluis.
When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up? Can you tell us something about your childhood years?
I grew up in the house next door to my parent’s shop in Neeritter, Limburg, 200 metres from the border with Belgium. Next door to ours was my grandmother’s house who grew vegetables for the whole extended family. She still does, at 90 years old. We ate white asparagus every day when they were in season.
My dreams were to either be an interior designer or to work with orangutans in Borneo. Eventually, I chose to study cultural anthropology.
What was your previous academic training, where did you study and why did you choose that study/those studies?
I studied here at the Radboud University and did my fieldwork on the concept of love in arranged marriages in Udaipur in India. After my bachelor’s degree, I spend a year working near Brighton, in the United Kingdom. My master thesis focused on the sense of belonging and home among refugees in the municipality of Heumen, Gelderland.
My fascination with cultural anthropology comes from wanting to understand people. How does growing up in a certain place and at a certain time form your outlook on life? I have learned so much during my time studying anthropology: on the concept and workings of religion and rituals; the concept and creation of violence; and concepts of gender, age, body, life and death. I remember so vividly how devasted I often was when I walked out of the classroom, because yet another one of my convictions or truths had been shattered. That happened a lot. You are constantly reminded that your way of life is just a way of life and there are so many perspectives to discover.
Which of your research discoveries are you most proud of?
In 2015 I published a qualitative study on the drive of young doctors to choose a profession as an occupational physician or insurance physician. The results were widely shared and picked up and made a lasting impact within the sector. It helped change the perspective on these young physicians and their place within the sector.
What is your most important scientific challenge in the coming 5 years?
That would be to improve the quality of qualitative research in this house. Too often, qualitative research is something that is added as an extra study on the side. Or executed by a quantitative researcher with minimum knowledge of qualitative research. There is so much more to achieve if we learn how to practise the art of qualitative research. And secondly, to promote activism as a part of our research. As a part of everything we do really.
If you could choose any mentor, who would it be?
That would be His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi.
He is the former head of state of Samoa. I met him and his wife at a conference on climate change and climate refugees, where he was the guest of honour.
I had never met such a remarkable person before. He was kind and wise and, above all, incredibly humble. And as many of the Pacific Islanders I have met, he saw his place in life in close relation to our surroundings and all life on this planet. I feel very privileged that I have met such an inspirational person. He would be a worthy mentor and I would have to work hard to be a worthy pupil.
What is your favorite topic: molecules - patients - population?
Patients. And colleagues. I am fascinated by the dynamics between people within our house. It is its own microculture.
What should be changed / improved in the scientific community?
I miss a sense of activism. For me that is an indispensable part of who we are and what we do as researchers. Activism plays a big role in anthropology. Partly because our research often focuses on groups that are not being heard and stories that are not being told. But I think as a researcher working within an academic hospital, we should show the same kind of activism. What do we stand for? What injustices do we want to change? I think that we can be both researchers and activists at the same time. It just takes practise and a lot of self-reflection.
Is there anything we can wake you up for in the middle of the night?
A hot meal. I can eat anything at any moment of the day. Although... I once had octopus risotto for breakfast and that was a bit too hardcore.
What is the thing that irritates you most?
People that say ‘That’s not my responsibility’. To me, that in itself is an impossibility. There is no such thing as no responsibility. Whatever we do, wherever we work, we are part of a whole. And it might not be in your job description, but it is your choice to act or not act. It is not a matter of shoving off responsibility.
Secondly, if I can name one more: the system of government, organisations and people that take economic growth or financial gain as the only factor for making decisions. We should look at New Zealand for inspiration. They ditched the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) for a Happiness Index that focuses on the wellbeing of its citizens instead of economic production.
Oh, and thirdly, cigarette butts on the ground.
Who would you like to have dinner with, if you had the chance?
That would be Kate. My friend in the UK whom I haven’t seen in over a year and a half.
How do you relax from the demanding job being a scientist?
I cook, work in my garden or work as a host at Doornroosje, preparing dinner for the artists that perform there. I relax best when my hands are busy. It clears my head. And working for Doornroosje means that you see a lot of great shows!
Do you have a tip for our most junior scientists?
Try and find your own voice. What do you believe in? What is the change you want to see? Try and make it happen and find the people who can help you make it happen.
Please add a photo which represents a remarkable event or experience you were part of? Please explain.
This picture was taken on Monday the 26th of April in the kitchen of Doornroosje. Stippenlift was performing and the whole backstage was buzzing with excitement. Everyone was so happy to be back at work!
