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

  • The Europeanisation of Universities

    New job! Between February and July 2025, I am joining “The Europeanisation of Universities” project of Johan Östling at Lund University, in Sweden.

  • Verbergt_Descartesfellowship

    Descartes Fellowship in Utrecht

    I was so lucky to get a Descartes Fellowship and join the Descartes Centre for the History and Philosophy of the Sciences and Humanities for November-December 2024. Keep an eye out for upcoming work with Sjang ten Hagen.

  • FWO Junior Postdoc Fellow 2024

    My 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

    While in The Netherlands, I wrote a 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

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

  • My research featured in Knack

    My research on the history research funding was feature in the Belgian weekly magazine Knack, in the rubric for "Young Talent".

  • 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!

  • Svenska Dagbladet

    My dissertation made an appearance in the Swedish press! Johan Östling from Lund University wrote a reflection on research funding for 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 blogpost: Wie betaalt de rekening?

    Eos Wetenschap is an independent and critical magazine about science for the broader public. I 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

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