Post by University of Twente

At UT, inaugural lectures mark the start of a new chapter. Professor Maaike Endedijk used hers to start a conversation that is long overdue She shared her vision on learning, work and technology. But near the end she set down her double bass and spoke about something else entirely. About power abuse and intimidation in academia. About how it is not a rare exception. About how it continues because people are aware of it, and say nothing. The room stood up. We think that moment deserves more than applause. As an institution, we recognise what she put into words and we take it seriously. A university where people do not feel safe to speak up is not the university we want to be. This will not be fixed overnight. But anyone who speaks up should know they will not be standing there alone. Thank you Maaike, for saying what needed to be said. #IStandUp