Like standing at a rocket launch
"In early December, I went to CERN in Geneva with Juan Rojo (professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy) and a delegation from the UvA. CERN is the European centre for particle physics research and the largest particle accelerator in the world. Because the particle accelerator is shut down for maintenance this time of year, we were able to enter it. The particle accelerator is a tube 27 kilometres long, 100 metres underground. Experiments take place at different locations, which our researchers also work on. You get into a van and then drive past a village with a supermarket and a church, with this gigantic tube underground."
"To get to the experiments, you go 100 metres underground in a lift. Then you end up in a kind of cathedral, where there is gigantic equipment with magnets and detectors. It's a kind of an 'Einstein and Oppenheimer to the max' experience where you end up. The control rooms above the ground make you feel like you are standing at a rocket launch."
"It is particularly impressive to see our scientists and those from the UvA from Nikhef playing a very important role in the Large Hadron Collider Beauty experiment (LHCb). This experiment investigates why there is more matter than antimatter in the universe. CERN's work seems super fundamental at first glance, but it has already led to important applications. For instance, the basis for the World Wide Web lies with two computer scientists at CERN whose goal was faster exchange of information and knowledge by scientists worldwide. And based on CERN technology, a proton accelerator for cancer treatment has been developed."
Collaboration
Not only the particle accelerator and all the impressive technology made a big impression. The working methods of the scientists at CERN showed a way of working together that is common in few organisations. "The visit was inspiring on two different levels. First, of course, the particle accelerator, but also the way they work together from all over the world. There are no real managers. All the scientists work with each other on an equal footing. That's why it works so well. The big driving force and binding factor is everyone's passion for research."
"There are no people giving orders to each other. Experiments are discussed together. Then you really come to a decision on how to do an experiment on scientific grounds. There is no one person saying to someone else: 'you have to do this'. There is very equal cooperation between researchers."
"You see it, for example, when developing the monitoring stations. A piece is developed in the Netherlands and a piece is developed in Italy or in the UK. That is all put together and then they have a week of measurement time to see if what they want to measure and detect works properly. Everyone is very dependent on each other. You can't do it on your own. That's important to take away from that visit. That you can also work together in such a way. I think that is also a good example of how we can approach that."
"I look at strengthening the bridge between our faculty at VU and those at the UvA. I think we can get much more out of the collaboration with the UvA. I also see it as a mission to strengthen that bond. Together we can achieve much more than on our own. We excel in certain research fields. If we cooperate with other universities in and outside the Netherlands, we can make much greater strides."
A warm bath
A year has now passed since Aletta made the move from Utrecht University to the VU's Faculty of Science. A lot has happened since she started here as dean. Looking back on her first year, however, it is the work culture that quickly impressed her. "When I started working at VU, it felt like a warm bath to me. There is a lot of mutual respect. People treat each other in a decent way. I find that very special."
"I find the teamwork impressive. Not only in research, but also in teaching. Those are of course our primary tasks. I also really like VU's entrepreneurship. We encourage entrepreneurship. Not only in the form of spin-outs and start-ups, but also socially. This was also reflected in the positive report of the sector plan committee, which praised our inclusiveness."
"How people interact here is very different from how I know other universities. I am feeling at home at VU and I also really feel that I can contribute to the faculty together with the board. And of course it is wonderful to be able to lead such a broad landscape of STEM research. It ranges from studying populations to cells and from physics to chemistry. Yes, I feel privileged to work here."
"Finally, at the end of the year, I wish everyone very happy days and happy holidays. And, of course, a healthy start to 2024."
Photo: Aletta Kraneveld and Juan Rojo at the LHCb experiment, in which VU scientists at Nikhef play a leading role.