As Erasmus Research Services (ERS) celebrates its five-year anniversary and undergoes a meaningful name change to Engagement & Research Services, it marks the end of an era for Margo Strijbosch, the Director who has led the department since its inception. In this interview, Margo reflects on the journey of ERS, its evolution, and her own personal and professional growth during her time at Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR).
“As an invisible hand, ERS connects the wealth of knowledge from EUR to society.”
Margo Strijbosch
From Research to Research & Engagement
When ERS was first established, it was a department of 12 people who were hired for EUR-wide coordination of their specific expertise areas in grants, open science, research intelligence, ethics review, research data management, EU liaison and communication. However, most EUR faculties wanted to build up EUR’s support of these specific domains together with ERS. Margo says: “This is literally what we did. We built our support portfolio in partnership with the faculties and via strategic projects. By doing so, we extended our support to include knowledge transfer and partnership development, major grants, research data managers, science communication, among others."
With this extension, it became clear that the department's role became much broader than initially envisioned. Margo explained, "Via our support we both engage internally with faculties and researchers and we engage externally with society via sustainable collaboration with societal partners. ERS is connecting the wealth of knowledge from the university to societal needs."
This shift to a more comprehensive vision is reflected in the new name. While the acronym remains ERS, the addition of "Engagement" emphasizes the department's role in fostering connections between academia and society. Margo believes this change is vital for the future: "Our name change reflects that ERS is a central point of access for external partners who want to collaborate and engage with the university.”
A Revolutionary Shift in Research and Engagement Support
As ERS celebrates its five-year lustrum, Margo looks back with pride at how much the department has accomplished in such a short time. "When we started five years ago, there was no clear vision of what research support could be at the central level," she recalls. The department's success, according to Margo, lies in its close and trusted partnerships with the faculties. "We became a success because we were embedded in the faculties, working closely with researchers. This unique collaboration is what allowed us to leverage opportunities across the university."
Despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the team to build ERS remotely, the department thrived, gaining recognition both within the university and externally. "We have made EUR more visible on the global stage, with major events in Brussels and strong regional partnerships. ERS has been at the forefront of that visibility."
A Legacy of Leadership and Values
Margo’s leadership has left a deep imprint on ERS. Her focus on people, values, and collaboration has shaped the department’s culture. She reflects, "I’ve grown as a leader during my time here, and I’ve learned to be a value-driven leader, someone who dares to be vulnerable. It's about constantly asking, 'What is the effect of my actions on others and society? And what is the effect of their actions on me? Are we still acting in the right way?'"
Her leadership style has resonated across the university community. Jason Pridmore, Coordinator of the SEISMEC and COALESCE projects and an Associate Professor in the Department of Media and Communication, Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication, reflects on her influence:
"Our university has been thinking and talking a lot about leadership in the past years, and one aspect that has been sometimes understated is the importance of emotional leadership—of being willing to take risks and be vulnerable to competing perspectives and mixtures of trust and distrust, and still rise above it all. For me, Margo has been a shining example of what this sort of leadership is and needs to be for all of us. I am happy to have been able to support her in some small measure but more importantly to learn from her, to be supported by her, and to watch as she has helped our university grow together in ways previously unseen. She will be missed!"
Similarly, Arwin van Buuren, Strategic Dean of Impact & Engagement, underscores the pivotal role that ERS, under Margo’s leadership, has played in advancing EUR's impact mission:
"ERS performs a crucial function as a hinge point between our university and society. This is essential, not only to prove our relevance and fulfill our impact mission, but also to tap into other sources of funding and to embed ourselves in the ecosystem we are part of. In recent years, I have watched with awe as Margo developed ERS into a professional service. In doing so, she has made a tremendous contribution to EUR's profile: ‘dedicated to the region, excelling in the world.’"
Margo's legacy will continue to influence ERS long after her departure. For her successor, Margo offers words of wisdom: "ERS staff are true experts in their fields, and I hope EUR continues to recognize and value that expertise. The commitment of the ERS team to EUR and its strategy is unwavering. I also hope my successor will uphold the value of openness that we’ve embraced at ERS. Equally important is fostering the entrepreneurial spirit and trust we've built with the faculties. The future of ERS lies in strengthening these partnerships and staying resilient in the face of societal challenges."
A Lasting Impact
Margo's contribution has been instrumental to the success of various strategic initiatives within EUR. Antonio Schettino, Ph.D., Head of Open and Responsible Science, notes:
"Over the past five years, Margo has actively contributed to the development and realization of the EUR strategy like few others. In particular, by initiating and supporting the Open and Responsible Science Strategy Program, she brought these important topics to the forefront of conversations across all schools, which increased awareness and ownership at various levels within the organization. Transparency, openness, and accountability are at the core of her actions. Her empathic and understanding attitude created an atmosphere of trust and safety that is fundamental to the success of ERS. I will miss her: as a director, as an open science ally, and as a person."
BRAVING! Boundaries, Reliability, Accountability, Vault, Integrity, Nonjudgment, and Generosity
"This is what describes Margo the best, as new generation leader.", says Meri Georgievska-Van de Laar, EU Liaison Officer at ERS. "Margo clearly demonstrated these features that proved to be critical in building and leading ERS. Under her leadership ERS grew and became critical and very meaningful engine at the EUR, sometimes causing disruption, but most importantly driving progress and contributing to success."
Margo’s impact on ERS is undeniable. The ERS team will miss her visionary leadership, but her legacy will continue to shape the department for years to come. Reflecting on her time with ERS, Margo leaves us with one final thought: "ERS is an invisible hand within the university. We’re not here to shine ourselves—we’re here to make others shine."
Her words resonate, reminding us that true leadership is not about being in the spotlight but about creating an environment where others can thrive. As ERS moves forward into its next chapter, it does so on the strong foundation that Margo Strijbosch has built.
