PhD stories

‘PhD changed me and how I think of the world’

Students or researchers? PhD candidates fall into a category of their own. In this series, we put doctoral researchers of the University of Twente in the spotlight. This episode gives the stage to Ronald Voorn (1958) from the Communication Science department, who is defending his PhD thesis this week.
  • EN
  • NL
PhD stories

‘I enjoy activism very much. Maybe too much’

Students or researchers? PhD candidates fall into a category of their own. What is it like to navigate the sometimes lonely road towards a doctoral degree? In this series, we put young academics of the University of Twente in the spotlight. This episode gives the stage to Roberto Cruz Martinez, an Information Specialist, a University Council member and PhD candidate at the UT.
  • EN
  • NL
PhD stories

‘Ik reik mensen graag de hand’

Zijn het studenten of onderzoekers? Promovendi vormen zo hun eigen categorie. Hoe is het om de soms eenzame weg naar een doctorsgraad te bewandelen? In deze reeks zetten we de jonge onderzoekers van de Universiteit Twente in de schijnwerpers. Aan het woord is Roberto Cruz Martinez, informatiespecialist, universiteitsraadslid en promovendus aan de UT.
Science

Creating awareness around sinkholes

‘Sinkholes can often be caused by damaged sewer pipes. I wanted to show that it is a real problem with a big impact on people’s lives,’ says PhD researcher Hengameh Noshahri. In her study published last week, she explored causes and consequences of sinkholes from the perspective of media.
PhD stories

‘Committing four years to one topic seemed like a very long time’

Students or researchers? PhD and EngD candidates fall into a category of their own. What is it like to navigate the sometimes lonely road towards a doctoral degree? In this monthly series, we put young academics of the University of Twente in the limelight. This episode gives the stage to Dieuwertje Alblas from Mathematics of Imaging & AI chair.
News

Well-being survey: Doctoral candidates impacted by loneliness

Results of a well-being survey show that UT doctoral candidates are impacted by loneliness and wish for more sense of belonging. The survey was conducted by the EQUITY working group from P-NUT (PhD Network of the University of Twente) from December 2021 to February 2022.
PhD stories

‘It’s a great opportunity to focus on something so deeply’

Students or researchers? PhD and EngD candidates fall into a category of their own. What is it like to navigate the sometimes lonely road towards a doctoral degree? In this monthly series, we put young academics of the University of Twente in the limelight. This episode gives the stage to Anurag Kulshrestha from the department of Earth Observation Science.
Spotlight
International PhD candidate speaks up about exclusion and discrimination

'They talk of an inclusive and international university, but that is not the reality I have experienced'

After a recent traumatic event, Rupsa Basu, PhD candidate at the University of Twente, decided to speak up about exclusion and discrimination that she has experienced on campus and beyond. Here is her story, in her own words. ‘I know other international PhDs have similar experiences but they are afraid to speak up.’
PhD stories

‘I didn’t expect it to be so emotionally difficult’

Students or researchers? PhD and PDEng candidates fall into a category of their own. What is it like to navigate the sometimes lonely road towards a doctoral degree? In this monthly series, we put young academics of the University of Twente in the limelight. This episode gives the stage to Monica Pena Acosta from Construction Management & Engineering group.
PhD stories
PhD Stories: Nienke van Dongen

‘It has been a rollercoaster but I’ve enjoyed the ride’

Students or researchers? PhD and PDEng candidates fall into a category of their own. What is it like to navigate the sometimes lonely road towards a doctoral degree? In this monthly series, we put young academics of the University of Twente in the limelight. This episode gives the stage to Nienke van Dongen from the BIOS Lab-on-a-Chip chair.
News

‘Animals can’t advocate for themselves, but I can be their voice’

‘People are becoming more aware of animals and that they deserve respect,’ says Norma Contreras Hernandez, PhD researcher at the UT Department of Governance and Technology for Sustainability. Today she is defending her doctoral thesis dedicated to animal protection in her home country of Mexico.
PhD stories

‘I like the freedom of doing a PhD’

Students or researchers? PhD and PDEng candidates fall into a category of their own. What is it like to navigate the sometimes lonely road towards a doctoral degree? In this monthly series, we put young academics of the University of Twente in the limelight. This episode gives the stage to Sergio Alvarado Vazquez from the department of Urban and Regional Planning and Geo-Information Management.
PhD stories
Vasileios Trikalitis

‘As a PhD, you have four years when you simply cannot fail’

Students or researchers? PhD and PDEng candidates fall into a category of their own. What is it like to navigate the sometimes lonely road towards a doctoral degree? In this monthly series, we put young academics of the University of Twente in the limelight. This episode gives the stage to Vasileios Trikalitis, PhD researcher at Vascularization Lab and Product Innovation Manager at IamFluidics.
Read more articles