1. What was your favourite subject during your student days?

Classical sociological theory, taught by John Vincke (UGent). It was the first time I could really immerse myself in theory and, to my own surprise, understand it!

2. Have you ever failed an exam? If so, which subject?

Too many to list. I had a second sit every year, except in my final year. So I always waited to study until the block. That didn't always turn out to be the best strategy.

3. What is the strangest thing you have ever done to relieve study stress?

For a while during my first exam period, I went to sleep at 6pm and got up at 2am and then started studying. Though I'm not sure if that was due to study stress or rather heartbreak. I also once feigned a blackout during an exam to get more preparation time.

4. What was your most memorable student experience?

For the qualitative methods course, we had to do an observation. A friend and I decided to ‘observe’ an entire night at a café. To our own surprise, we still got quite high marks for that assignment.

5. Have you ever had a student job? What was that?

I had a permanent job in a second-hand clothes shop and occasionally worked in the catering industry.

6. If you could go back in time, what would you advise your younger self?

That they are doing well and should continue doing what they are doing.

7. If you hadn't become a professor, what would you be doing now?

Research judge (although I should have chosen a different study then, surely?).

8. What was your first thought today?

None of your business.

9. What is your favourite book, and why?

The Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset Maugham. After reading the last page, I heaved a deep sigh and let a tear roll down my cheek.

10. What music or artist do you like to listen to?

Big fan of the descendants of the Odd Future, but I also taste quite a bit of good indie, electro, jazz, and all the tunes of angry women with humour. And of course the music of my wonderful husband, Johannes ♥

11. If you could meet one historical figure, who would it be and why?

In all honesty, I wouldn't necessarily want to meet such a great historical figure because I fear they are often blowhards. I would rather be teleported to a historical event. Whether that's the Battle of Marathon, the premiere of Allegri's Miserere, or the moment the first car rolled off the assembly line, I don't really care.

12. What is a travel destination still on your bucket list?

I would like to make a trip around the world by bicycle. The goal would not be the destination, but the way there.

13. What is your favourite way to spend a free Sunday?

On a bike or wandering around a city.

14. What's the most fun thing you've learned recently (outside your field)?

How to tubeless a bicycle tyre myself.

15. hat's the most adventurous thing you've ever done?

Here I am again with my bikes, but last summer I cycled all over the Balkans in temperatures sometimes above 40 degrees.

16. What is your most precious possession?

I wouldn't call my children and husband a possession.

17. How do you unwind?

On my bicycle.

18. Do you have a hidden talent that your students don't know about?

I'm quite handy with needle and thread.

19. When you look to the future, what do you see?

On a personal level, I see my two children growing into courageous adults, with their own worries and pleasures, and my husband and myself as two lazy old people who like to bicker and play bingo all day, and have so much fun doing it!

When I look at society, I see a future where everything is upside down and nothing is certain anymore.

When I look at students, I see a generation that has grown into a group that puts justice first, at least as long as they can focus on that.

20. What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

Just keep going and you will always end up in a pleasant place eventually.