Paul Wouters new dean of Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
Professor P.F. (Paul) Wouters has been appointed dean of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences with effect from 1 January 2019. Wouters has been appointed for a period of three years and succeeds Professor Hanna Swaab, whose second term of office as dean expires this year. Swaab will remain within the faculty as Professor of Neurocognitive Development and Development Disorders.
Paul Wouters is Professor of Scientometrics. His research focuses on the way in which research evaluations and performance indicators shape the criteria for scientific quality and relevance. He has published on such topics as the history of the Science Citation Index, formation theory in scientometrics and bibliometrics, science policy and the role of information systems in the development of new methods in social sciences and humanities.
Since 2010, Wouters has also been director of the Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS), an interdisciplinary scientific institute at Leiden University that studies the role of scientific research in technology, innovation and society. The CWTS accomplishes this by examining how evaluation systems influence the development of knowledge, devising bibliometric methods and standards, and contributing to public discussions on the role of science in society. Wouters will continue in this role until the end of 2018.
The Executive Board welcomes this appointment. ‘Paul Wouters is a very experienced researcher, lecturer and administrator who has a strong scientific and social network. We look forward to working with him in his new role and have every confidence that under his leadership the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences can look forward to an even stronger future,’ commented Carel Stolker, Rector Magnificus and President of the Executive Board.
The Faculty Board endorses the opinion of the Executive Board. ‘We know Paul Wouters to be a highly skilled and driven researcher, lecturer and administrator who is able to bring together people and disciplines. He knows the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences extremely well and we are delighted to have him as our dean, leading our faculty in the coming years,' commented Hanna Swaab on behalf of the Faculty Board.