Academic Researcher Reveals Why Doubt Can Be a Strength in Technical Innovation
Eindhoven, Sunday, 15 March 2026.
A postdoc at TU Eindhoven is challenging academia’s confidence culture by advocating for psychological safety in research environments. Jennifer van den Berg argues that expressing uncertainty actually drives breakthrough innovation, noting the crucial tension between research requiring doubt while people are expected to project confidence. Her insights, shared during TU/e’s recent Wellbeing Week, emphasize that even expert researchers can be in exploratory phases without diminishing their credibility or visibility in their fields.
Redefining Academic Excellence Through Uncertainty
Van den Berg, who works as a postdoc researcher in Innovation, Technology Entrepreneurship & Marketing at the Department of Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences, returned to TU Eindhoven in 2024 after a period working in commercial industry [1]. Her current research focuses on trust and psychological safety in technical teams, building upon her PhD work from 2017 to 2021 that examined organizational resilience in healthcare [1]. The timing of her insights proves particularly relevant as they were shared during TU/e’s Wellbeing Week, which ran from March 9-12, 2026 [2][3]. Van den Berg’s perspective directly addresses a fundamental contradiction she observes in academic culture: “In our research, we are allowed to doubt. But as people, we are expected to be confident. There’s tension there” [1].
The Science Behind Psychological Safety
Drawing from Amy Edmondson’s foundational work, van den Berg defines psychological safety as “the shared feeling in a team that you can speak up without fear of negative consequences” [1]. This concept differs significantly from social safety, as van den Berg notes that “psychological safety exists more in the grey areas” - those subtle, uncomfortable situations where individuals may hesitate to voice concerns or uncertainties [1]. Her research approach emphasizes practical applications, particularly relevant given that TU/e’s strategic priorities explicitly include wellbeing as a key component under the Resilience theme in Strategy 2030, alongside core values of being Curious, Open, Respectful, and Responsible [1]. The university’s commitment to this area was demonstrated through the recent Wellbeing Week, organized collaboratively by the Student Sports Center, HRM, and ESA [2][3].
Breaking Down Barriers to Innovation
Van den Berg’s advocacy extends beyond academic theory into personal disclosure, exemplified by her Dutch book “Ik zit in mijn luipaardbroek op de bank” (I’m sitting on my couch in my leopard pants), which was released on International Women’s Day [1]. The book serves as a personal diary documenting imposter feelings, validation-seeking behaviors, and self-discovery during her PhD journey [1]. Through this work, she hopes to “spark conversations about shame, difficulties, and doubts” while demonstrating that visibility in academia doesn’t require omniscience [1]. Her message particularly resonates with women in academia, as she observes: “When I talk about this, I often see recognition, especially among women. That’s why I think it’s important to show that it’s okay to doubt” [1].
Institutional Support for Mental Health Innovation
TU Eindhoven’s comprehensive approach to wellbeing was showcased during the March 2026 Wellbeing Week, which featured diverse programming including sports classes, stress-management workshops, and lectures connecting motivational psychology with neuroscience [3]. Van den Berg’s involvement in this initiative reflects her broader engagement with institutional change, including her active membership in the TU/e Postdoc Association to strengthen postdoc positions [1]. Her research suggests that transformation begins with individual courage: “Maybe psychological safety starts with just one person daring to speak up” [1]. This philosophy aligns with her practical recommendation for cultural change: “If we said this more often: ‘I don’t know either right now,’ it would make a big difference” [1]. The integration of wellbeing initiatives into TU/e’s strategic framework demonstrates institutional recognition that psychological safety serves as a foundation for breakthrough research and technical innovation [1][2].