New BSS dean Casper Albers: "I enjoy tackling complex problems”

As of this academic year, Casper Albers has taken on the role of dean of the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences. In this interview, he shares his vision for the future of education and research, and looks ahead to the challenges facing the faculty.

Casper Albers is no stranger to the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences (BSS). He has been working there for fifteen years and, as he describes it, has often spoken out "from the sidelines" about the goings-on within the university. Through his participation in the faculty and university council, his involvement with activist groups like WOinActie, and his role as a columnist for De Volkskrant and Ukrant, he has made his mark on the academic community. In recent years, he deepened his experience further as research director within the Department of Psychology.

In the driver’s seat

This academic year, Albers steps into the heart of governance: he has been appointed dean of BSS. He approaches this new challenge with a healthy dose of enthusiasm. "I now have the opportunity to be in the driver’s seat myself," he says. "I find satisfaction in tackling complex problems that have no perfect solutions. For me, the value of this position lies precisely in working together with others to find the best possible solution."

Tour

Thanks to his years of experience, Albers knows the faculty and the university inside out. Yet, in preparation for his new role, he has started a "welcome tour," holding discussions with various committees and institutes both within and outside the university. He also received a thorough briefing on ongoing matters from his predecessor, Kees Aarts. "Kees took plenty of time to update me on all the important issues," Albers says.

Harmful budget cuts

One of the most pressing issues on Albers' desk is the announced cuts to higher education. "Education is the key to personal development, equality, and economic growth. Science saved us during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the social sciences and humanities are crucial in addressing societal challenges like climate change and the protection of democratic values," he emphasizes. "Cuts in these areas are therefore harmful to our country."

Preparing as best as possible

"At the same time, it is a fact that universities are facing over a billion euros in cuts, which will mean millions for BSS. It is our task as the Faculty Board to prepare for the blows to come and to involve the community as much as possible." Albers hopes that the impact of the cuts will be limited and that it does not lead to internal division.

AI

Another development that Albers is closely monitoring is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). "It is becoming increasingly difficult to determine whether a thesis was written by a student or by AI," he notes. "This forces us to rethink how we assess knowledge and skills." However, he also sees opportunities. "The digital revolution offers many possibilities to make education better and more efficient. The Dutch Education Prize, which Jolien Mouw's team won for their research on using virtual reality in education, is a great example of this."

Not just lab coats

In the long term, Albers wants to increase the visibility and recognition of the behavioural and social sciences. "Within our faculty, there are already excellent examples of science communication, but in this case, more is definitely better. The average Dutch person has a limited view of what science entails. When you Google 'scientist,' you mainly see images of people in lab coats with test tubes, while science encompasses so much more." Albers hopes to contribute to a broader view of science in society.

Privilege

Despite the various major challenges, Albers looks to the future with optimism. Meeting new, enthusiastic students and staff is a key motivator for him. "We have a fantastic faculty at BSS where we conduct incredibly fascinating research, and it is a privilege that I still get to learn about it every day."

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