‘In the train on the way home from Saxion I often work on my Secret Ideas List.’

At the time, the step from Wageningen University to Saxion was not a big one, tells Simon Hageman. “I did my PhD research in the field of environmental technology, into the removal of selenium from waste water. Research at Wageningen is also often applied research, just like at Saxion. So when a vacancy appeared, I really wanted to apply. I found the step into applied university education not big at all.” Simon joined Saxion in 2014 as a lecturer/researcher. He taught mathematics at the Biology and Medical Laboratory Research study programme one day a week and also worked at the Sustainable Energy Systems research group. “There I was busy researching fermentation processes in water purification plants.” Simon, who was Project Leader, became Associate Professor. Ultimately in two research fields: heat in buildings and then later also in bio-energy.

Stopping with the use of fossil gas

The research he is now doing with colleagues, students and collaborative partners is highly relevant. “For example, we are researching how we can extract more biogas from raw materials, how we can make homes more energy efficient and also how to decrease nitrogen emissions. We usually work with partners in the Eastern Netherlands: individual businesses, a group of businesses or sometimes, a particular sector. All the issues we deal with come straight from society. For example, how we can stop using fossil gas as quickly as possible. It is great that our solutions can ultimately make a real difference for individual citizens, people like you and me.”

No bluffing

They are not the easiest of challenges: puzzles that require you to look beyond the boundaries of individual disciplines, think out of the box, be creative. Substantial challenges too. “I think that suits my character. When I research something, or if we start a project as research group, I always start out with the belief that something really has to be able to work. I can’t bluff. If I foresee that something won’t work, everyone can see that by the expression on my face. Sometimes more information is needed in order to make a considered decision. Then I’ll go on for as long as it takes until we have a research proposal that I support one hundred percent.

Connecting different disciplines

These are exceptional and highly innovative projects. You can certainly say that. Simon and his research group are working on making ice under water with Solar Freezer. A process that extracts heat from water which then heats a home through a technical unit. “You can’t think up something like that within the bounds of one discipline, but when you combine disciplines, then you can innovate. In the case of Solar Freezer these are physics, chemistry, a bit of chemical engineering, but also mechanical engineering and control engineering. I had already worked with crystal particles in my PhD research and suddenly I realised that I could also combine them with water. In five minutes I put my thoughts down on paper and the project was born.”

Stashing his laptop

Simon Hageman also has a Secret Ideas List where he notes down his inspired ideas for further investigation at a later date. That often happens to be the first week of the summer holidays. This is because after closing and stashing his laptop and telephone somewhere in the Saxion building in Enschede (“so I won’t be tempted to continue working”), he suddenly gets a big boost of creativity, to work on his ideas. It is the same enthusiasm he feels for his subject. “I also have enough time for this when I’m working, but it’s as if the final things just have to find a way out before the holiday starts.”

Reducing Nitrogen emissions

He was rewarded for his promising ideas in 2019 when he was presented with the Lettinga Award. For ideas that can contribute to tomorrow’s world. Resolving current issues with the latest technology. “This new technology is tomorrow’s world. For example the Nitrogen crisis. We also receive requests from regional partners to research possible solutions. In our MIDS fermentation project, we are collaborating with a company that makes formic acid from CO2, water and sunlight. If you put the acid in a slurry pit it reduces both methane and nitrogen emissions. This creates a fluid that at a later stage can be transported to a large regional processor where it can be used to create large quantities of biogas. If this works it will be fantastic. We are still currently in the test phase. In theory everything works. In about six months’ time we should know whether it also works in practice. It could be part of the solution to the Nitrogen problem that has brought the Netherlands to a grinding halt. I think this a prime example of how you can work on tomorrow’s world at an applied university. And even better: we can also include these research questions in education, involving students who come and help us. I enjoy hearing their ideas and how they go about things. This interaction between research and education is very good at Saxion.

Working and thinking in the train

Almost every day he takes the train from Arnhem to Enschede: you can’t exactly say that his job at Saxion is just around the corner. Or does he do much work remotely? “Saxion provides plenty opportunities to do so, but personally I prefer being on the work floor. I like to be able to look my colleagues in the eye, live. Also for our research with regional partners, it’s great when you can grab a bike at Saxion and go and see them. I enjoy getting settled in the train early in the morning. I use that time to prepare myself for the day ahead. I travel from Arnhem via Deventer to Enschede. By the time I arrive at Saxion I’ve already gone through my mailbox, prepared for meetings and I know exactly what the day has in store. The way home is for thinking, possibly about things that are on my Secret Idea List or could well end up on it. I really love innovating and pioneering. I’d rather not have to do things a second time. That makes it less interesting. I also don’t like watching the same film twice.”

Sport allowance and warm socks

What makes his job attractive? “The room you get for creativity. I can organise and manage my work well. I really enjoy solving puzzles. During my train journey for example. Having that empty space helps, that’s when I get the best ideas. Just like at the start of the summer holidays, when my laptop is closed and stashed away.” Do you like working at a large organisation like Saxion? “Yes. I feel seen as employee. We are well looked after as staff. Thanks to good staff schemes such as a sports allowance, but also by way of small gifts. Getting a bar of chocolate or a pair of warm socks through the post, during corona. As members of staff, we are able to develop ourselves more by taking courses and study programmes. I also find the Executive Board very accessible. We recently had a team building day at our school. Anka Mulder, President of the Executive Board also came along. I can see that she is genuinely interested in what we are doing. It gives us a real sense of appreciation for our work."

Photography: Thomas Busschers