Hester Bijl is leaving her position as rector magnificus of Leiden University to take on the same role at her alma mater, TU Delft, in January. The announcement comes after a tumultuous period marked by controversies ranging from the removal of a painting to unrest related to the Palestinian issue.

Bijl’s tenure at Leiden has been plagued by several incidents. One involved the removal of a painting depicting former university board members, sparking a media storm and accusations of “woke misery.” Another incident involved a former politician confronting her on camera about a lecturer who had previously called for the bombing of Tel Aviv, leading to further controversy.

The unrest at Leiden University has also been fueled by the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Bijl has faced criticism for her handling of demonstrations and the university’s stance on cooperation with Israeli institutions. Some lecturers have accused the executive board of being fearful in addressing the issue.

Prior to her role at Leiden, Bijl held various positions at TU Delft, including professor of aerospace engineering and dean. She has consistently advocated for emancipation and increased representation of women in science. Bijl has also had to deal with misconduct cases involving prominent scientists during her time as rector.

Despite the challenges, Bijl has expressed a commitment to her work and offered advice to women in science, urging them to be proactive and assertive in pursuing their goals. Her departure from Leiden comes with “mixed feelings,” as she prepares to return to TU Delft.