It is fashionable among beta scientists to complain about the lack of beta scientists in government. At the same time, a career in policy or administration is hardly considered a career by that same group. This attitude is a thorn in the side of physicist Liedewij Laan. With STEM professionals in Governance and Policy, she therefore paints a positive, stimulating picture. 'These are positions where you can put your beta knowledge to good use.'

 

Laan is the initiator and chair of Bèta in Bestuur & Beleid, BiBB. This 'community', founded in 2021, is committed to bridging the (career) gap between PhD candidates and postdocs from the natural, exact and technical sciences on the one hand and the world of public administration and policy on the other.

 

Laan: ‘If we all think that there is too little science knowledge in “The Hague”, then we as a science community should also start recognizing a career in administration and policy as a serious, valuable choice.’

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It was great to hear about the steps everyone has taken since the summer and how they are incorporating the experiences from the summer school into their work and plans for the future.

 

More facts, less framing

Member of Parliament Luc Stultiens shared his journey from science to politics and showed how political communication often gets bogged down in one-liners and frames, while behind those messages lie genuine substantive choices. Using graphs about poverty, purchasing power, and policy choices, he illustrated the importance of looking beyond slogans and placing policy in figures and context.

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We concluded the day with a game of pétanque, drinks, and dinner, where the conversations continued for a long time.

 

Thanks to all alumni for this valuable and enjoyable day.​

 

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BiBB is organising a summer school to inspire scientist and prepare them for a career in the administrative and political world.

 

We focus on issues such as: how laws, policies and decisions arise in a complex administrative environment. How to operate effectively within that administrative reality, and which skills people with a science background need to master for this.

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A careful selection of approximately 30 ambitious PhDs and Postdocs from science disciplines who want to make the transition to public administration and policy, and want to end up in an impactful and challenging position.​

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For more information click here.