Did she see it coming? ‘Absolutely not’, she laughs through her teeth, as is British custom. Perhaps even more sore is the fact that in the weeks leading up to that fateful day, she thought along with the faculty to find means to ‘soften the blow’ for students through reduced education, unaware that it was her own head on the chopping block. ‘To be frank, I’m still reeling.’
Disaster
Like Paulo Raposo and several other colleagues, she received a phone call Monday last week, asking her to report to the dean’s office. There she was informed of her redundancy. She compares her range of feelings with those often voiced during disasters: ‘You first go through an emotional high of shock, thinking ‘Oh dear, what’s happened?’ and then you slowly settle down. I’m still in that first phase.’
She’s spent all of last week counselling with her PhD and Master students, who are in different stages of their research, on how to best move forward.
Enhancing master’s programme
As master programme director, she spent the last three years updating and revamping the masters portfolio, launching an update just last September. ‘It was the result of a lot of hard work, getting to grips with all the faculty’s inner workings, trying to come up with plans on how to enhance the programmes. We managed to integrate courses into four specialisations, which ironically are now the new departments, and wriggle free some funding to help improve ITC’s education. It resulted in three papers detailing new standards and methods, including a five-step plan highlighting ways how to get there.’
Stab in the back
For Blanford, the decision to send her off after all that hard work feels like a stab in the back. ‘But I leave on a high note, knowing what I’m capable of, as the first professor with an emphasis in education while also setting up Geo Health, for which we have published over fifty articles in my time here by the way. I’m really proud of the Geo Health research we managed to establish. I have set a solid base from which to build new things.’
She was told her position along with the whole newly set-up Geo Health research unit was discontinued because they didn’t fit the faculty’s profile anymore. ‘I disagree a little bit on that.’ She indicates, however, that she hasn’t decided yet whether or not she is going to contest the move. ‘I’d like to gather all the facts first.’
Unsettled
Speaking to U-Today five years ago, Blanford said she’s lived all over the world, from Suriname to Bangladesh. Does this mean that she wouldn’t be as firmly rooted, and doesn’t mind moving again all that much? ‘Well, you’d think so, but our family had just found our space here. Now that I have time, I will take some Dutch courses. It’ll be particularly hard for my two daughters, the youngest of whom is in her final year of secondary school and the other who has just started at university.’
Considering alternatives
In these uncertain times, Blanford is considering posting an open application on LinkedIn. The support from friends, colleagues, students, and family is comforting. ‘My sister keeps sending me job openings, which is heartwarming, but I’m not sure what is next or where.’ She appreciates the support from HR although it is more procedural than emotionally supportive or cooperative in her career prospects.
She would like to consult with Professor Karensa Broersen of TNW, who earlier this year faced a similar ordeal and is now back at UT after successfully fighting the decision. ‘But even if I’d manage to eventually stay on here, I must admit a great deal of trust has been broken. We will see what the future holds.’
