Rosalind Franklin Fellows Rink and Spierdijk appointed as professors

The Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of Groningen has gained two young, talented professors. Rosalind Franklin Fellows, Floor Rink and Laura Spierdijk , both successfully completed the Faculty’s tenure track and were recently appointed professors. R ink is now Professor of Organizational Behaviour and Identity Management and Spierdijk, who has been an associate professor since 2010, has been appointed Professor of Econometrics of Pensions, Insurance and Finance.

Dean Harry Garretsen is proud of the new professors. ‘Spierdijk and Rink are special to us because they are the first professors to complete the entire tenure track. They have not only successfully completed a six-year track leading to associate professorship, but also made short work of the next six years preparing to become full professors.’

Rosalind Franklin Fellowship

The Rosalind Franklin Fellowship programme is a University of Groningen initiative designed to encourage talented academic women to become professors. Fellows are given the time and facilities they need to establish their own research group on the basis of their specific expertise. ‘Spierdijk and Rink have proved that the RFF programme can inspire women to stay at the University of Groningen and embark on a career towards full professorship’, says Garretsen. ‘This makes them double role models; Spierdijk and Rink have shown that the tenure track leading to professorship is perfectly feasible, and they serve as a good example to other young female researchers.’

High demands

Professor Rink says, ‘The demands that the tenure track puts on you are high, but realistic. It’s hard work, but if you do your best, you will be rewarded with a permanent position or even a professorship. The supervision is excellent and the conditions well though-out. The tenure track is an individual track, but the success of your research still depends on collaboration with others. The University of Groningen provides all the facilities you need. You’re given every opportunity and it’s up to you to prove yourself.’

Expertise

In 2012, applied econometrist Spierdijk was awarded a Vidi grant by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). Since then, she has been working on research into measuring competition in banking and its effect on economic growth and financial stability.

Social and organizational psychologist Rink is studying diversity in organizations. Her research focuses how people with unconventional opinions or a nonstandard background function within organizations. Questions that interest her include: under which conditions are newcomers able to voice their opinions in a group without encountering problems? How can you make sure that people from minority groups progress to more senior positions? And how can you ensure that senior managers make decisions that benefit the company and all employees?

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