Degrees of Freedom

In this episode, we explore a provocative question raised in Tassos’s Research Methods course: Can scientists truly live up to the ideals of "disinterestedness" and "communalism" in an academic world dominated by competition and the "credit cycle"?

We are joined by Stefanos Zelkas Sapountzis, whose inquiry instigated this discussion, Ivar Hjortfors Lozanovic, master student of Philosophy and Psychology, and we welcome back Maarten Derksen, historian and philosopher from the Psychology department. Together, we deconstruct Merton’s Norms, describing the traditional ethical pillars of science, and contrast them with the pragmatic pressures of publishing, funding, and reputation. We then relate this with embodied training, asking how higher education can move beyond purely intellectual instruction to account for the emotional, physical, and human dimensions of being a scientist.

Links for the episode:

• Maarten Derksen’s professional page
• Robert K. Merton’s "The Normative Structure of Science" (1942)
• The DORA Initiative and the Recognition & Rewards movement in the Netherlands
• Degrees of Freedom s3e8b, where Maarten Derksen previously joined as guest

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Produced by Tassos Sarampalis and Marcello Seri, at the University of Groningen

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Illustrations by Anne Caesar van Wieren ⁠⁠⁠www.annecaesar.nl⁠⁠⁠

What's the Angle and Zen Garden are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License by Shane Ivers of ⁠⁠⁠silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠.

We are joined by the Chair of the EuroSoTL Network, Irma Meijerman, to discuss the evolution, challenges, and rewards from engaging with the EuroSoTL community.

As the academic landscape shifts from expertise-led instruction to evidence-based pedagogical practice, how can individual educators navigate this change without becoming overwhelmed? Irma shares the story of how a grassroots need for connection transformed into a formal European network and offers advice for academics looking to turn their teaching curiosities into researchable projects.

Links for the episode

• ⁠Irma Meijerman's website
• ⁠EuroSOTL 2025⁠
• The Utrecht roadmap to SoTL research

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Produced by Tassos Sarampalis and Marcello Seri, at the University of Groningen

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Illustrations by Anne Caesar van Wieren ⁠⁠www.annecaesar.nl⁠⁠

What's the Angle and Zen Garden are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License by Shane Ivers of ⁠⁠silvermansound.com⁠⁠.

Join our conversation with Helga Dorner, Associate Professor at Eötvös Loránd University, as we explore the transformative world of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). Recorded on-site at the EuroSoTL 2025 conference in Groningen, this episode explores what it means to treat the classroom as a site for inquiry, problem-solving, and professional growth. And what challenges and opportunities we face in this fast changing world.

Links for the episode

• Helga Dorner's website
• EuroSOTL 2025

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Produced by Tassos Sarampalis and Marcello Seri, at the University of Groningen

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Illustrations by Anne Caesar van Wieren ⁠www.annecaesar.nl⁠

What's the Angle and Zen Garden are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License by Shane Ivers of ⁠silvermansound.com⁠.

Join our conversation with Chris May, Maya Schroevers and Marieke van Vugt  as we peek into the world of well-being and mental health in educational institutions. Starting from the challenges faced by staff and students, we explore the importance of cultivating emotional health and its role in fostering understanding and resilience. Mindfulness emerges as a valuable tool to support both well-being and academic success within educational settings.

The discussion takes a panoramic look at the hopes, challenges, and risks of incorporating mental well-being tools into the curriculum. Along the way, our guests share their perspectives and some practical tips on prioritizing self-care and awareness in daily life.

For those curious to learn more, these show notes are completed by plenty of useful resources.

Episode links:

Additional resources from our guests:

Emotional health and mindfulness apps (free, developed by scientific foundations or non-profits)

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For the first episode of Season 4, Philip Ball and Brian Ostafin join us to talk about curiosity and wonder.

Tracing the historical evolution of these emotions and exploring their psychological underpinnings, we look into the challenges of harnessing them productively and constructively in education and scientific research. Along the way we touch upon many themes, and revisit our thoughts in light of internet searches and AI.

Links of the episode:

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