Expected: First half of 2026.
Book title: Fixing Academia – Reflections from a new generation of scholars.
Cover text:
Are our universities still fit for purpose? While academia struggles to meet expectations in times of rapid political and technological change, the “ivory tower” critique sadly still hits home. Also internally, universities are under immense strain: the publication model is cracking, the academic funding landscape has become a “rat race” where excessive pressure to publish leads to more losers than winners, and systemic inequalities profoundly restrict access to higher education.
Fixing Academia is a timely and provocative collection of essays by ten young scientists. In a series of sharp, evidence-based, and constructive reflections on a selection of pressing themes, they diagnose some of the structural flaws in 21st-century Dutch universities. They also offer the tools for repair – tackling everything from the influence of Big Pharma on scientific integrity to the urgent need for better work-life balance for academic parents.
Actionable yet visionary, this book hopes to stimulate conversations on how to “fix” academia and help universities strengthen their bonds with society.
Preorder/contact: The book will be published open access (online). A limited number of physical copies of the book can be purchased online and in bookstores. Journalists can use the contact form to request a free copy of the book.
Book editors: Dion Kramer & Berend van der Kolk.
Contributors to this book: Yusuf Çelik (chapter 1), Diletta Martinelli & Maarten Bolhuis (chapter 2), Dion Kramer (chapter 3), Laura S. Dreissen (chapter 4), Evgenia I. Lysova (chapter 5), Callista Mulder (chapter 6), Gea Dreschler (chapter 7), Tiago R. Matos (chapter 8), Berend van der Kolk (chapter 9).
Publisher: VU University Press.
“This book offers a thoughtful and engaged reflection on Dutch academia. The contributions are realistic about the challenges facing academia, yet ambitious in charting ways forward. I value that mindset. The themes are diverse, yet united by a concern for creating an academic environment in which people can develop, do meaningful work and contribute to society. I hope and expect that this book will help advance important conversations on how we can improve the Dutch academic climate. I read it with great interest and will gladly draw on its insights in my work.”
Prof. dr. Caspar van den Berg,
President of Universities of the Netherlands
“Young academics are not only the future; they are the present. Yet their voices are not always represented in university management and science policy. That’s why this book is essential: It shows how young academics are committed to strengthening science and building a more inclusive academia.”
Dr. Eddie Brummelman,
Chair of The Young Academy
Updates regarding this project and the publication of the book will be shared here.
Use the contact form to contact the editors.
Berend van der Kolk 