Three academics from Erasmus University awarded Vici grant for groundbreaking research

Three researchers from Erasmus University have secured a prestigious Vici grant from NWO. With this grant, which can amount to up to 1.5 million euros, Loes Keijsers, Willem de Koster, and Martijn Schonewille will be able to expand their research groups and conduct pioneering research over the next five years.

In total, NWO has awarded a Vici grant to 43 researchers. Of the 369 preliminary applications submitted for the 2024 Vici round, 12 per cent were ultimately approved – one percentage point more than in the previous round.

The Vici grants, along with the Veni and Vidi grants, are part of the NWO Talent Programme. They are designed for scientists at different stages of their careers.

At Utrecht University, there is reason to celebrate: six researchers there have been awarded grants. TU Delft (4), Leiden University (4), the University of Amsterdam (4), and the much smaller University of Twente (3) have also performed well.

Learning to talk about emotions

One of the successful applicants is Loes Keijsers, professor of Clinical Child and Family Studies. With the 1.5 million euros she receives for her project IC YOU (Improving Communication with YOUth), she is researching how conversations about emotions between young people and adults in their network can be improved.

Keijsers combines pedagogy, psychology, and data science to lower barriers to these conversations, using innovative smartphone apps and improved communication training. In doing so, she aims to contribute to the mental well-being of young people and reduce pressure on youth care services.

Decoding climate policy

Cultural sociologist Willem de Koster has also been awarded a Vici grant. With his project Understanding the different meanings of climate change among the public, the professor of General Sociology is investigating why some people perceive climate change as an emergency, while others see it as hardly a problem. These views have a major impact on how people respond to policies and awareness campaigns.

De Koster is taking a comprehensive approach: he combines in-depth interviews with extensive data analysis to better understand the divide in the debate. The goal? More effective and inclusive climate policy, ensuring the public is better informed and the discussion becomes less polarised.

The mystery of movement

Neuroscientist Martijn Schonewille, professor of Motor Systems at Erasmus MC, has received a Vici grant to study how the cerebellum controls movement. The cerebellum plays a crucial role in coordinating motor functions, but exactly how it works remains largely unknown.

Schonewille and his team will study subgroups of Purkinje cells – the cerebellum’s key nerve cells – individually to gain a better understanding of their function. This research could not only provide new insights into motor control but also contribute to treatments for cerebellar disorders.