Academic knowledge and insights about the development and deployment of gifted talent throughout the life cycle.
The chair, made possible by (donors of) the Mensa Fonds, focuses on researching the development of gifted people – with special attention to the impact of important transitions in a life cycle, such as from education to work or from work to retirement. The chair also contributes to the development of interventions aimed at promoting the resilience and well-being of gifted people. Relatively, little is known about the life cycle of gifted people, or people with a high development potential. Through this special chair, Tilburg University and the Mensa Fonds want to increase both the scientific knowledge about gifted people, as the added value of gifted people for society as a whole.
Anouke Bakx appointed as special professor of ‘Giftedness, Transitions and Social Impact’
Tilburg University has appointed Prof. Dr. Anouke Bakx to the special chair of ‘Giftedness, Transitions and Social Impact’. Anouke Bakx is a lecturer in Good Teaching, Good Leadership at Fontys University of Applied Sciences Education, special professor of Giftedness at Radboud University and board member of the National Talent Centre of the Netherlands. She founded the education research centers of POINT, in which research, education, training and development come together. She is also co-founder of the scientific expertise centre RATiO. In 2019, her work was recognised with a nomination for the Mensa Fonds Excellence (Uitblinker) Award.
Interest in giftedness is growing
“In recent years, the interest in giftedness and its development during several phases of life has increased. This applies, for example, to the transition from education to work or from work to retirement. However, relatively little is known about the underlying mechanisms that can promote or hinder these important moments in the lives of people with characteristics of giftedness,” says the newly appointed professor. “In the last 20 years, scientific research into gifted primary school pupils has increased considerably. Research into adolescents, adults and especially gifted seniors, on the other hand, remains scarce. This is partly because structural research into this subject has only been conducted in the Netherlands since the 1990s.”
Giftedness as a strength
The approach to the research is also different, says Bakx: “We do not consider giftedness as a problem, but as a strength. We focus on talent development and its social impact. By connecting to the strengths of people with characteristics of giftedness, we can not only promote their personal growth, but also contribute to the organizations in which they work and to society as a whole.”
We are very pleased with the new chair and with Anouke Bakx as special professor. Just like everyone else, gifted people need meaningful work and activities, and the full utilization of who they are and what they can do, in all phases of life. After all, giftedness lasts a lifetime. This special chair is unique in the world. The Mensa Fonds wants the research at Tilburg University to become a catalyst for more international research into gifted people and how their potential can contribute positively to society. We congratulate Anouke Bakx on her appointment and look forward to the collaboration.
More research into giftedness
One in 50 people is highly intelligent, also called gifted. High intelligence – and especially the ability to think quickly and out-of-the-box and/or quickly see through situations that often comes with it – can be of great importance for companies and society. Relatively little is known about giftedness from a scientific perspective and more research is needed. Most existing studies link giftedness to disorders. Other life domains, such as relationships, friendship, work (well-being/performance) and growing older, are barely discussed. The Mensa Fonds strives for more academic knowledge and insights about developing gifted talent throughout the life span and using giftedness as a quality for society as a whole. As Mensa International says: for the benefit of humanity.
Special Chair Tilburg University
The establishment of a special chair ‘Giftedness, Transitions and Social Impact’ at Tilburg University is an important step towards better utilisation of giftedness. The aim of the chair will be: to strengthen scientific research into giftedness across the entire life span, within various life and professional domains, from a longitudinal approach, with attention to life transitions and with attention to elements from positive psychology. So: how does giftedness influence the transition from school to work, from work to retirement, from retirement to successful aging? Under what conditions does giftedness really gain added value in organisations and society? What interventions are possible to utilise this talent? And how do gifted people remain happy in their lives and work? Questions that the Mensa Fonds and Tilburg University would like to find scientific answers to. And then to share these findings in the form of knowledge and tools with education institutions and various social stakeholders – for the benefit of humanity.
Contributions to the chair
The establishment of the special chair was made possible entirely by donors. To expand the research and the team, donations are welcome. Donate specifically for this chair: make a one-off donation or opt for a (fully tax-deductible in the Netherlands!) periodic donation for five years.
For more information, contact chair Grethe van Geffen.