10 years in Amsterdam: Rector Magnificus Maex says goodbye

Rector Magnificus Karen Maex is leaving on 15 July. Having worked at the UvA for almost ten years, first as dean of the Faculty of Science and then as rector, Karen is returning to Leuven where her family still lives. How does she feel about her time in Amsterdam, what were the highs and the lows and what legacy will she leave behind at the UvA? - Female professors. 'It takes a long time to become a professor but if you are to encourage and attract women to do so you have to scout, coach and offer them opportunities early on in their careers. You need to start by encouraging PhD students and postdocs to continue in academia. Here at the UvA, we've been doing this for a few years but it's not easy. This is an important issue in appointments committees too, even if they are mixed.