Proud Professor

Ana Pereira Roders

Days like yesterday make me a Proud Professor and boost my energy like a battery charger!

I love my academic life, but it is far from perfect or calm, with the extra challenges of being an architect, woman, mid-class, foreigner, young(ish), married, mother, and even holding a (mild) chronic condition (Puff... even I got tired for just writing them down!)! All qualities that could not be further away from the typical stereotype of the Dutch Professor!

But a day like yesterday proves that I am where I should be! To honour all those before me who struggled even more in the past. To honour all those aside me and in contexts where women are less respected. To honour all those who will follow me, who hopefully will benefit from our solved struggles and find novel ways to solve their own.

In case you did not join us or know our team, I had my first doctoral ceremony in TUDelft yesterday, the doctoral ceremony of my dear PhD student, Nan Bai. It was a memorable moment for everyone who joined, including me. Here is why.

First, I love how Dutch universities honour doctoral students and celebrate the end of their research process. A process of four years, the least, which is often not easy or linear, and requires strong personal and professional growth. Some may find it too theatrical, given the ceremony has strict guidelines for both professors and students. What to do. When to do it. What to dress. But I find it a beautiful tradition and have no problem wearing a toga, no matter how outdated and male(ish) it may be.

Second, I love to see the shining eyes of the PhDs when they realise they know more about their field than anyone else in the room, no matter how distinguished the doctoral committee and audience members are. Of course, some may be more nervous than others due to their character or degree of perfectionism (Would only they see themselves as I see them!). But in the end, they all manage to answer the questions the doctoral committee members raised and sometimes even surprise them with their sharp answers.

Third, Nan Bai proved again that one must not be arrogant, selfish or misleading to excel in academia. On the contrary! We can remain humble, generous and truthful. And that by sharing our knowledge and skills with those around us, everyone benefits. You and those around you, but also science and society. In an era of abundant segregation and soft wars (also) between disciplines, it is hopeful to see this new generation of academics breaking the silos and conventions that today shape our academic institutions.

So, I am a Proud Professor, and I am very honoured to be part of the journey of my PhD students. They might join my team for all they think that they will learn from me. But reality is that the greatest learnings are done together, and that they always teach me more, than I ever can teach them.

Thank you, Nan! Thank you all!