Less individual than at the university, more like a team

What was your doctoral research about?

I conducted research at the University of Melbourne in the field of cognitive neuroscience. My doctoral thesis explored how the brain processes time required for its own functions. How can the brain function in a dynamic world when it does not have access to information from the present moment? Through modelling, we mapped out how the visual cortex can predict its own input, aligning information about moving objects in the brain with the objects in the external environment.

Policy research is quite different. Why did you choose to work at Dialogic?

I simply love doing research, regardless of the specific topic. While I still find the brain fascinating (and stay updated on developments), what I enjoy about Dialogic is the diversity of subjects we cover and the societal importance of our research. Some of my colleagues at Dialogic have also completed their doctoral work on topics closer to policy research, such as innovation sciences or education.

What are the differences between research at Dialogic and at the university?

Essentially, both involve conducting research to find answers to questions. However, there are some differences in approach. At Dialogic, we always work in teams comprised of senior, mid-level, and junior researchers, sharing research tasks and collaborating to generate solutions and ideas. This team-oriented approach sets our research apart from the more individualistic nature of university research. Additionally, research questions at Dialogic always stem from a client (often a Dutch government ministry), with research outcomes aimed at informing policy decisions. This focus makes our research topical and relevant to societal issues. Moreover, our research often includes an advisory aspect: What should policymakers do with the research findings? For me, this aspect makes research at Dialogic especially enjoyable and challenging.