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How to get your research in the picture

How to get your research in the picture Do you have exciting news about your research, are you about to obtain a PhD on a subject with social urgency, or have your results been published? Have you won a prize, received a fund or do you get credit for your work in some other way? There are many reasons to want to publicize your achievements. But how do you go about it and what are the possibilities? On this page: Stories and Press Releases Your news on the website Your news in the newsletter Social Media help spreading your news External exposure via Stories and Press Releases News with social relevance, news that is in line with current affairs or in which many people and companies could be interested, can be professionally offered to all press contacts of the TU, or placed on the TU website with a lot of attention. With a press release the news is actively brought to the attention of the press and people and companies (with an interest) in the sector. Suitable for News with social relevance, news that is relevant to current affairs or news that many people and companies could be interested in. Advantage It generates a lot of attention for the subject with the possibility of it being adopted by the press. This news will always be posted on the websites of TU Delft, ChemE and other departments and faculties involved. Disadvantage There is more involved in making news reports like this. It takes time and therefore the 'freshness' of the news is an important part of the decision. How it works Colleagues from the Science Communication department review the news, discuss it with the scientist and write the article. For this form of spreading news, it can be important that you bring it up in time. Preferably before the topic takes place, although this is not always possible. Send an e-mail to Leonie de Kluijs with a short explanation of the subject and the statement that you think this news is suitable for a press release or a story. It will then be presented to the science writer in question, after which he or she will involve you in the creation of the message. What did it bring others? "The press release of premature babies attracted media attention and was featured in the podcast of Wetenschap Vandaag from BNR as well as ICT Health , Maakindustrie news , and the TechTalk-pagina section in Stadskrant Delft. The press release opened up networking opportunities to industrial and medical partners, who directly emailed me their interest in learning more about the device and exploration of future opportunities. I am in close collaboration with one of such partners in Erasmus MC, with whom we’ve starting to write proposals together." Alina Rwei “We published a paper on CO 2 capture from seawater, and I inquired at the communication officer what would be a good strategy to give some public attention to our work. It became a press release, and that was a bullseye: the news came at the right moment to be picked up by several media, and we had news items on CO 2 capture in De Volkskrant, De Ingenieur, C2W, Financieel Dagblad and several websites. These publications also gained internal attention for the topic, and motivated ourselves to intensify this research, and several new proposals are now considered.” David Vermaas Your news on the website The website has a page dedicated to news and events. The two most recent news items and events are visible through small messages on the homepage. Suitable for News that is still in the future, but also news that took place recently, as long as it is still relevant. Advantage Public, visible for every visitor of the website Possibility to share the message with homepages of involved departments/faculties Can be combined with newsletter and social media Disadvantage If you do not use additional possibilities, only visitors to the homepage and the news page will see this news. How it works Send an email to Leonie de Kluijs with a short description of the news. A news item can generally be prepared and posted on short notice. News, questions or ideas? Contact Leonie de Kluijs Communication Officer ChemE Social media help spreading your news Many people have their own accounts on social media platforms. ChemE has a Twitter account. News that may be of interest to others, can be shared here. A topic can be shared a lot and thus come to the attention of a large number of people, also outside the collegial circle. The larger the network, the wider the sharing. Your news in the newsletter The ChemE newsletter is published every two months and is sent to all people who, according to the TU HR, have information on the Chemical Engineering department. It is also sent to the Marketing & Communication Department of TNW and to the Dean. So it is a so-called internal newsletter. Suitable for All messages that are placed on the news page of the website, but also for other news suitable for colleagues, such as introductions of new employees and stories of new or departing colleagues. Not all news items in the newsletter will be visible on the website. However, they can be copied on social media. Advantage An easy and quick way to inform colleagues of your news. News on the website gets more attention because it appears in the inbox of many people. Easy to share via social media. Disadvantage The distribution is basically internal. How it works Some time before the next newsletter comes out, a request for topics is sent out. The responses usually fill the newsletter. You can also contact proactively by sending an e-mail with a short description of the news.

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How system safety can make Machine Learning systems safer in the public sector

Machine Learning (ML), a form of AI where patterns are discovered in large amounts of data, can be very useful. It is increasingly used, for example, in chatbot Chat GPT, facial recognition, or speech software. However, there are also concerns about the use of ML systems in the public sector. How do you prevent the system from, for example, discriminating or making large-scale mistakes with negative effects on citizens? Scientists at TU Delft, including Jeroen Delfos, investigated how lessons from system safety can contribute to making ML systems safer in the public sector. “Policymakers are busy devising measures to counter the negative effects of ML. Our research shows that they can rely much more on existing concepts and theories that have already proven their value in other sectors,” says Jeroen Delfos. Jeroen Delfos Learning from other sectors In their research, the scientists used concepts from system safety and systems theory to describe the challenges of using ML systems in the public sector. Delfos: “Concepts and tools from the system safety literature are already widely used to support safety in sectors such as aviation, for example by analysing accidents with system safety methods. However, this is not yet common practice in the field of AI and ML. By applying a system-theoretical perspective, we view safety not only as a result of how the technology works, but as the result of a complex set of technical, social, and organisational factors.” The researchers interviewed professionals from the public sector to see which factors are recognized and which are still underexposed. Bias There is room for improvement to make ML systems in the public sector safer. For example, bias in data is still often seen as a technical problem, while the origin of that bias may lie far outside the technical system. Delfos: “Consider, for instance, the registration of crime. In neighbourhoods where the police patrol more frequently, logically, more crime is recorded, which leads to these areas being overrepresented in crime statistics. An ML system trained to discover patterns in these statistics will replicate or even reinforce this bias. However, the problem lies in the method of recording, not in the ML system itself.” Reducing risks According to the researchers, policymakers and civil servants involved in the development of ML systems would do well to incorporate system safety concepts. For example, it is advisable to identify in advance what kinds of accidents one wants to prevent when designing an ML system. Another lesson from system safety, for instance in aviation, is that systems tend to become more risky over time in practice, because safety becomes subordinate to efficiency as long as no accidents occur. “It is therefore important that safety remains a recurring topic in evaluations and that safety requirements are enforced,” says Delfos. Read the research paper .

Boosting sustainable building education

Boosting sustainable building education in The Netherlands On 17 September, TU Delft launched a new initiative to implement sustainable building practices across the Dutch educational landscape by bringing together educators from Dutch vocational institutions (MBO) and TU Delft lecturers. Last week, the kick-off event at The Green Village on the TU Delft campus brought together 10 educators from MBO institutions and lecturers from TU Delft’s Sustainable Building with Timber MOOC. Educating for impact From September to December 2024, the MBO educators will participate in the MOOC as students: watching videos, completing course exercises, and submitting assignments. Additionally, they will engage in online sessions guided by TU Delft lecturers, who provide subject matter expertise, and an educational expert supporting the online learning process. From December through June 2025, the focus will shift to creating adaptable and open teaching resources specifically developed for MBO institutions. A ripple effect By equipping teachers with the tools and knowledge to teach sustainable building, the initiative supports the transition to more environmentally responsible practices within the building industry. The knowledge shared through this programme, made possible in collaboration with Leren voor Morgen and the MBO Raad (Council for schools of vocational education and training ), will shape the future workforce and contribute to a more sustainable world. While initially targeting a limited number of MBO institutions, the initiative’s impact is expected to extend far beyond. As educators integrate the materials into their curricula, the knowledge will reach future generations of students, amplifying the long-term influence of the project. Sustainable Building with Timber MOOC Course information A two-way learning process This mutually beneficial project embodies lifelong learning. MBO teachers gain access to cutting-edge teaching materials on building with timber, while TU Delft benefits from the practical insights these practitioners bring from the field. This knowledge exchange enhances vocational education and strengthens TU Delft’s research and teaching. Open resources for lasting impact A key goal of the project is to create open-access, customisable teaching materials, enabling educators to tailor content to meet the specific needs of their institutions and students. This flexible approach fosters the teaching of sustainable building techniques. Acknowledgements Heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in making this initiative possible. Together, we are laying the foundations for a more sustainable future.

Three Students Nominated for the ECHO award

Three TU Delft students have been nominated for the ECHO Award 2024. The ECHO award is awarded to students with a non-western background who are actively engaged in society. Sibel, TJ and Pravesha talk about their background their nomination. The finalists will be selected on September 27th. Sibel Gökbekir How has your background influenced your academic journey? As a woman with Turkish roots, my academic journey has been about more than just pursuing degrees in engineering and law; it’s been about consistently advocating for the diverse needs of women and multicultural groups, ensuring their voices are heard in important decisions. This is why I actively contributed to different board positions at TU Delft, working to promote inclusivity and equality. My background inspired me to explore how engineering, law, and social justice intersect, particularly in empowering marginalised communities. I chose to study energy transitions and human rights to contribute to a fairer, more inclusive World. How have you turned this into contributions to society? I’ve dedicated my academic and personal life to promoting diversity and inclusion. As a youth ambassador for Stop Street Harassment, I aimed to create safer spaces for women and minorities because I believe everyone has the right to feel free and safe in society. Through the Turkish Golden Tulip Foundation, I advocated for vulnerable communities in earthquake relief. Additionally, I founded an initiative for migrant students in Rotterdam-South and I have been committed to improving educational opportunities for secondary school students with a migration background. Next, I gave guest lectures across the Netherlands to educate the younger generation about climate change and equitable energy transitions, emphasising the importance of a fair transition for all communities. What does it mean for you to nominated to the ECHO award? I feel very honoured to have been nominated on behalf of TU Delft. My commitment to community engagement is part of who I am, and therefore the ECHO Award is more than just a recognition; It offers me an opportunity to further expand my contributions to a more inclusive society. As an ECHO Ambassador, I plan to expand my efforts in promoting equality and sustainability, while inspiring others to take action for a more equitable World. TJ Rivera How has your background influenced your academic journey? My background as a Filipino in a Dutch-speaking bachelor’s programme made my academic journey both challenging and enriching. Being gay in a male-dominated field like Architecture, where most role models were heteronormative men, added another layer of difficulty. It was intimidating to not see people like me represented. However, this experience fuelled my belief that systems can and should be challenged, changed, and updated. I aimed to bring a fresh perspective, advocating for greater diversity and inclusivity in the field. How have you turned this into contributions to society? I translated my personal challenges into tangible contributions by advocating for inclusivity within architecture. Together with like-minded individuals, I began exploring the intersection of identity, sexuality, and architecture, and collaborated with my faculty’s diversity team to raise awareness. As I became known for my work with the queer community, I saw an opportunity to create lasting change. I co-revived ARGUS, the once-inactive study association for the Master of Architecture, which now serves as a platform to discuss and address issues of diversity within the field. This initiative continues to foster a more inclusive academic environment. What does it mean for you to be nominated to the Echo award? Being nominated for the ECHO Award is a significant milestone in my journey to expand my mission beyond the confines of my faculty. This national platform provides the opportunity to raise awareness and advocate for social justice on a larger scale. I believe students are key to driving change, and my focus is on amplifying the voices of the queer community, which is often overlooked. The ECHO Award will enable me to form partnerships with organizations and universities, further promoting diversity, inclusivity, and equality. It’s a chance to create broader, tangible change, addressing the needs of those who often go unheard. Pravesha Ramsundersingh How has your background influenced your academic journey? As a woman in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), my background has been a powerful motivator to challenge gender disparities within Computer Science. Experiencing firsthand the underrepresentation of women in this field, I have been driven to not only excel academically but also become an advocate for diversity. Through leadership roles in the Faculty and Central Student Councils, I’ve focused on creating an inclusive environment that supports women and minority students, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to succeed. How have you turned this into contributions to society? I’ve translated my experiences into actionable contributions by actively advocating for DEI at TU Delft. I ensured sexual education and consent training for 3,000 freshmen students, and I led initiatives like the Social Safety Initiatives Conference alongside the Dutch National Coordinator against Racism and Discrimination. In my student governance roles, I pushed for policies that address gender discrimination and social safety concerns, creating a more supportive environment for students of all backgrounds to thrive in both academic and social spaces. What does it mean for you to nominated to the ECHO award? Being nominated for the ECHO Award is an incredible honour that highlights the importance of the work I have done to promote DEI. It inspires me to continue advocating for systemic change in the tech industry and academia. This nomination reaffirms my commitment to driving equity in STEM, ensuring that future generations have more inclusive opportunities. It also motivates me to keep pushing boundaries and empower others to take action for a more just and equal society. The ECHO Award Every year ECHO, Center for Diversity Policy, invites colleges and universities to nominate socially active students who make a difference in the field of Diversity & Inclusion for the ECHO Award 2024. The ECHO Award calls attention to the specific experiences that students with a non-Western background* carry with them and the way they manage to turn these experiences into a constructive contribution to society. Winners are selected by an independent jury and may attend a full-service Summercourse at UCLA in the United States in 2025. Read more: ECHO Award - ECHO (echo-net.nl)