09-04-2026 - Lecture Hall E

Mini-Symposium - Social Talk

Choices and challenges in an academic career
a personal story of an electrical power engineering professor

Henk Polinder

As researchers in academia, we are continuously faced with choices and challenges.
Do I want an academic career?
What is the best next step?
Am I good enough?
Where and how can I make a contribution?
Why do reviewers not understand my excellent work?
Sometimes we have successes. Most of the time, we are struggling.
During this presentation, I want to share something of my own choices and challenges. I am convinced this will give some insight into the beauty of electrical power engineering. I also hope this will stimulate thinking about how (not) to develop an academic career.