I am a cultural historian and sociologist, combining academic research with public history projects.

I speak, write, and teach about the history of history-writing, the history of science, and uses of the past in present-day society.

© Kevin Faingnaert

News and projects

  • Apache interview "Wetenschappelijke vrijheid gaat ook over geld"

    Interviewed by two investigative journalists from Apache magazine about the rise of innovation consultancy in academia.

  • CAT Group "Freedom to Research"

    New CAT network on changing funding regimes and academic freedom, supported by Network of European Institutes for Advanced Study.

  • The Europeanisation of Universities

    Joining “The Europeanisation of Universities” project of Johan Östling at Lund University (Feb-July 2025).

  • Verbergt_Descartesfellowship

    Descartes Fellowship in Utrecht

    Received a Descartes Fellowship to join the Descartes Centre for the History and Philosophy of the Sciences and Humanities and work with Sjang hen Hagen (Nov-Dec 2024).

  • FWO Junior Postdoc Fellow 2024

    Project on the history of peer review in the European humanities was selected by the Flemish Research Council (FWO) for funding. Read more about it here.

  • Sampol_budgetcutshigheredNL

    University budget cuts in The Netherlands

    Piece for the Belgian public about the Dutch budget cuts in the higher education sector. International awareness and solidarity are much needed here.

  • Wonderkamer 10

    Essay (in Dutch) for the latest edition of Wonderkamer about scholarly vices. Order here to read about research funding, grant consultants and greed!

  • Research featured in Knack

    My research on the history research funding was featured in the Belgian weekly magazine Knack.

  • Vlaamse PhD Cup

    The Vlaamse PhD Cup is a science communication competition for young doctors to share their work with a broad public. I am one of the 16 participants in the 2024 edition!

  • PhD in Svenska Dagbladet

    My dissertation was reviewed in Svenska Dagbladet, Swedish second's biggest newspaper. Read (in Swedish) here.

  • The Price of History

    After 5,5 years in the making, I defended my dissertation on the history of research funding in June 2024. Here you can read a short summary and find a link to the introduction.

  • Eos Blog: Wie betaalt de rekening?

    Eos Wetenschap is an independent and critical magazine about science for the broader public. Wrote a piece for them (in Dutch) on scientists and their money.

  • Claiming the People's Past

    Together with Berber Bevernage, Eline Mestdagh and Walderez Ramalho, I edited a volume about the way populist parties and leaders engage with the past. Find it on Cambridge University's website.

  • Fresh Faces database

    Selected as a young expert by Fameus to be part of their Fresh Faces database. Find me and the others here.