From Scientific Discovery to Societal Impact: Meet Four New Faculty of Impact Fellows
Our newest cohort of 17 fellows has only just started, but the ambitions are already clear. From earlier diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and heart disease in women to detecting liver disease before it becomes irreversible and developing new medicines for currently untreatable diseases, these fellows are tackling some of society’s most pressing health challenges.
‘You need a plan bigger than tech’
Ampelmann cofounder and angel investor David Cerda Salzmann enjoys using his knowledge and experience to mentor new start-ups. 'At Faculty of Impact's investor event, you could clearly see that these were people who know a lot about their field. Real academic gems who are being pushed to step out of that ivory tower of science. But who were perhaps being confronted with the business side for the first time.'
‘It takes more than just knowledge to create impact’
Professor Harry van Vliet of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences points out that there is 'definitely potential in our sector’ to participate in the Faculty of Impact programme. Still, applications from universities of applied sciences lag significantly behind those from universities and medical centers. His appeal: we need to move towards a broader definition of impact.
From breakthrough science to real-world impact: meet Tim and Brigit
At Faculty of Impact, we believe that groundbreaking science deserves a real place in society. Our fellows don’t just publish papers, they build ventures that solve urgent global challenges.
Let’s take valorisation of scientific research to the next level
Faculty of Impact’s program director Frans Nauta shares his views on the new cabinet’s innovation policy, along with his unsolicited advice. His message is clear: we need to create much more space to take valorisation seriously, in whatever form it takes.
‘If something works, let’s build on it’
Physics professor Davide Iannuzzi, former chief impact officer at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Faculty of Impact advisory board member, shares his reflections on valorisation, offering a candid and thought-provoking view on what we can do at the national level to better connect science and society.
