Representing the Radboud Center for Decision Science, Sarah Vahed (PhD Student) recently attended the Science Meets Region event at the EU's Joint Research Centre in Brussels. This two-day conference highlighted the importance of evidence-based policymaking in the European Union. As a recipient of the JRC's Science Meets Regions Pairing Scheme, the Decision Center showcased its work in decision science and its application in policy, specifically our collaboration with the City of Nijmegen led by Alan and Lisa Rosenberger (Postdoc) (see poster for more details or visit www.centerfordecisionscience.nl).
On 29 June, the Radboud Center for Decision Science, led by Alan, began its exciting collaboration with the City of Nijmegen, hosting a decision science symposium for civil servants from the municipality. During the session, Alan provided attendees with the latest insights on decision neuroscience developed from our lab and facilitated practical discussions on how to utilise this knowledge within policy decisions. This event marked the start of a series of activities aimed at showcasing the Center's expertise to the City's policy specialists, fostering collaboration between researchers and community members. The collaboration was made possible by a generous grant from the European Commission. Visit the Center's website (www.centerfordecisionscience.nl) to stay ahead of upcoming events related to this exciting initiative.
As the end of the academic year (and summer) approaches, our lab recently organised a retreat that provided a valuable opportunity for introspection and personal development. Throughout the day, our discussions revolved around the purpose of our research and its broader societal implications. We were very fortunate to welcome guest speakers, Jonas Wachner from the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Kim Hoeks from Nijmegen Gemeente, who shared their insights on applied (behavioural) research and the practical application of our findings for the betterment of society. Moreover, we dedicated time to exploring the fundamental steps and skills necessary for a successful academic career. The retreat served as a great source of motivation and focus for our lab members and their research.