Rianne Letschert wins Femfactor Award
The second FemFactor-award for female role model in science was awarded to Rianne Letschert. Rianne is professor of victimology and international law and is director at the International Victimology Institute Tilburg (Intervict). “If she had lived in Rwanda, I would certainly have bought her a cow,” a PhD student said about Rianne Letschert, expressing his satisfaction about his supervisor.
Femfactor wants to encourage, in a light-hearted way, that more women hold top positions at Tilburg University. It therefore awards two FemFactor Cups every year: one for a support staff member and one for a scientist.
Rianne Letschert was appointed professor when she was 35, while also supporting a family with children. She was not bothered by the glass ceiling, she said in an interview with Univers (edtion 9): “I was appointed professor when I was heavily pregnant. It is true that I would never have reached this position if I would have worked part-time. You nee a certain network, a good publication record and experience with management and education.”
FemFactor inquired staff workers and PhD students about their experiences with Rianne: “A real people person. She is very enthusiastic and easy to talk to. She creates a very dynamic environment. Somehow she knows how to turn everything into something great. A research assistant said: “Often PhD students need training to learn how to deal with their supervisor. This is definitely unnecessary in Rianne’s case.”
When it comes to women in top positions in science, the Netherlands still lags far behind. We rank at the bottom in the European Union, together with Luxembourg.
Previous winners of the Femfacor awards were Huub Dekkers and Arie de Ruiter in 2011. Recently, Roos Hogenkamp won the support staff award.
