Interview Stefan van der Stigchel

Professor of Experimental Psychology

What is your research about?

My research is about attention. And especially about what we see; what do we get from the world around us? We pay attention to what is important to us and ignore the rest of the information. I want to understand how that works. When does something grab your attention, and when does it not? And what happens to that information that doesn't get your attention?
This is important, because we simply cannot devote attention to everything. So we do have to make choices, and it is precisely those choices that are so interesting to explore. Especially in these times when the fight for our attention is fiercer than ever.

How long have you been working at FSBS?

After completing my PhD at VU Amsterdam, I joined the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences in 2007.

What do you like about working at FSBS/UU? Why work here in particular?

To begin with, I myself took the Artificial Intelligence programme in Utrecht. I thought that was a great degree programme, so it felt like a huge honour for me to come back to teach at this degree programme.  
 
But there are more reasons why I love working here. I feel that the faculty encourages me to follow my own passions in terms of research. When I decided to start writing accessible books a few years ago, I experienced a lot of support. The response was enthusiastic, and it was well understood that it is important for me to do more than just write scientific articles.

How does the faculty contribute to your research?

I work in a great team, and within the section, I was given all the space I needed to build my own team when I received some bigger grants for my research. The support comes very naturally, and there was never a situation where I was told what research to do or who to work with. There are also opportunities to join one of UU's strategic themes. What works well about this is that you are not forced to join a theme. You should simply do it if it helps you move forward.

What do you think makes Utrecht University unique?

I spent some time at De Jonge Academie, where you often talk to colleagues from around the country, and through this, I noticed that Utrecht is at the forefront of creating alternative career paths.
 
I like the fact that we in Utrecht are a forerunner in open science both nationally and internationally. Things do go wrong sometimes, of course, and things can get tense, but it also makes for great discussions. We are truly pioneering in certain areas, and here in Utrecht, we are not afraid to try and do things differently.