Get to know Elien De Caluwé!

https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/staff/elien-decaluwe

What is your role/position in the IDA program?

Supervisor of FYP and traineeships.

How long have you been teaching?

For 12 years since the start of my PhD.

What do you like about teaching?

Inspiring students and teaching them new knowledge, skills and perspectives. In addition, I find it extremely important to help and guide students in developing themselves as a researcher/psychologist, but also as a human being.

What is the reason you became a researcher?

I wanted to help other people – specifically youth – with problems, so I studied psychology and graduated as a clinical psychologist. After my studies, I felt that also by doing research you can help people, so I started my research career.

What is the most fascinating about human beings to you?

There are so many individual differences and it’s so fascinating to try to explain these differences in behaviour, emotions, thoughts, psychopathology, etc. There is so much we don’t understand (yet). So, almost everything, but especially the complexity and capabilities of human beings.

Are there times where you doubt researching or university?

No, I know this is the place where I want and need to be; however, I do sometimes joke about a job outside academia, as this might offer more work-life balance ;-). However, academia also brings lots of advantages.

What makes IDA students unique?

They are smart, eager to learn, goal-oriented, and very nice to work with!

If you could change something in the university setting what would you change?

Lowering the high work load and pressure OR getting paid for all these extra hours you make ;-). Then I would be rich now, I think :-).

What advice would you give future IDA students?

Follow your dreams and let nothing come in between (also not fear of failure, low self-esteem, etc.). Just go for it!

What is a collaborative project that you liked and worked with an IDA student on?

It was very nice to work with Selim, but also with a lot of others (e.g., Lotte Bant; however, this paper is not published yet; Iris Frowijn, and others; both are now colleagues by the way ;-)). The one with Selim is here.

How are you experiencing the teacher-student relationship in the IDA program?

Fantastic. I feel like we are peers/colleagues.

If you are not teaching or doing research, what else do you like doing in your personal time?

Spending time with my little sister, meeting friends and family, wine & dine, and going to a good party ;-).

Is there anything we missed and you would like to share? This can also be something personal e.g. a motto.

When things are not going easy, remember that “difficult” works as well. You will get there, step by step.