Francisco Alpizar, Professor and Chair of the Environmental Economics and Natural Resource Group at Wageningen University

Academic life can be extraordinarily challenging and stressful. Is not only the burden of having to “think smart thoughts”; it is the endless availability of exciting yet time consuming opportunities to contribute to societal challenges, the pressure from younger colleagues and students you are mentoring, and the large bureaucratic processes that universities devise to make sure that precious funding is put to the best use. All this is measured and monitored using highly indirect metrics of success. David’s integral approach to mentoring has helped me stay sane within the system. Recognizing your multiple perspectives, and how those can be leveraged to deal more effectively with the challenges of professional live is central to David’s approach, and key to a happy academic life.

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