Sabrina Alhanachi (31) is an educational scientist and remedial educationalist. She wants to bring research and knowledge close to society. Just like Victor Bekkers (57), dean of Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB): "Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) aims for excellent science that benefits society." Here you can read how ESSB puts that into practice through a dialogue between Sabrina and Victor. About their vision on science, diversity and ambitions.
Sabrina: “I was born in the Netherlands, but my parents are from Morocco. At school I tried to do my best because I had one goal: I wanted to go to university. But when I didn’t get high Cito-scores in grade 8 because of a fear of failure, my teacher said: ‘You can’t go to university; your level is too low.’ But despite that, the potential was there. Encouraged by my mentor and those around me, I made the step from VMBO to VWO. After secondary school I started studying pedagogical sciences at EUR. And now, as part of my PhD, I’m doing research into cultural diversity in secondary schools and how teachers deal with it, research I hope to complete in a few months. I want to help teachers to see potential in all students in the classroom.”
Victor: “I appreciate just how driven you are! You have turned your frustration as a student into a great strength. I’m glad that you have chosen this path! We used to talk a lot about politics at home. I have always found political issues interesting. As a young boy I involved myself in these ‘adult’ discussions. My father encouraged that interest and I value that. He gave me space in discussions and said: ‘Let Victor finish; he also has an important opinion.’
Sabrina: “My father also played an important role in my study career. He encouraged me to study because he didn’t have the chance himself.”
Victor: “That’s how it went at our house too. My parents didn’t study, but did everything they could to let us study. That did awaken something in me: I want to give everyone the opportunity to study.
Sabrina: “You studied political science and public administration and are now Dean of our faculty – how do you describe your job to someone?”
Victor: “When I say that I’m a professor of public administration, I often get the reaction: ‘Are you in front of the class all day?’ I then tell them that I spend half my time explaining to students what the role of government is in their collaboration with social parties and the business community. The other half of my time I spend on research. How can you solve or tackle social issues? As Dean I also lead colleagues who are doing the same thing.”
Sabrina: “In your work you bring political science and public administration together. Do you find collaboration between different disciplines to be important?”
Victor: “I think it’s essential. It’s part of where we are heading as ESSB. We want to look beyond the boundaries of disciplines. We are outward-looking: What challenges are the city and region of Rotterdam facing? What’s needed to tackle social issues properly? Rotterdam can serve as an example for other cities where similar issues also play a role. The next step is to collaborate across faculty boundaries.”
Sabrina: “I do agree: we can bring similar research together far more.”
Sabrina: “Something I find interesting is the increased attention being paid to diversity within EUR. How can you achieve a diverse culture within a university? A culture that’s more like Rotterdam society?”
Victor: “We have indeed already taken steps, but there’s still a great deal to be gained when it comes to diversity and inclusiveness. I think that one should not cast that aspiration as a paper reality, but that one should put role models in position. A role model inspires. You yourself inspire me as a role model!”
Sabrina: “Although there are certainly still steps to be taken, I feel at home at EUR. Inequality of opportunity, racism, religious background: as far as I’m concerned, the solution to the problem of diversity lies in openness and interaction between these different people.”
Victor: “I totally agree with that. Moreover, diversity and variety are an important source of innovation!”
Sabrina: “Thank you for this conversation.”
Victor: “Thank you too, and good luck with your research.”
