Lecturer in the Spotlight: Myrthe Buckens

Can you share a bit about your journey leading up to BUas? 

Myrthe: ‘I started out studying Linguistics at Utrecht University and later completed a Master’s in Text Mining and Human Language Technology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. In my Master’s, I focused on natural language processing, working with text-based data and exploring ways to apply technology to make sense of language. I worked with a start-up focused on reducing administrative tasks for healthcare professionals by creating tools to record, transcribe and tag conversations with important details, such as healthcare organisations and symptoms. This was my first chance to see how AI could directly help people and make life easier.’ 

‘My first job was as a data scientist at Banijay Benelux, and there I worked on a collaboration project with BUas. I did a guest lecture at BUas, and from that point, I knew I wanted to become a lecturer.’  

What kinds of projects and courses have you worked on at BUas? 

Myrthe: ‘The collaborative project with BUas, which I worked on while still at Banijay, explored links between TV ratings for the talk show “Op1” and social media sentiment. We focused on understanding both viewership and the topics discussed in each episode to see if specific editing choices might make the show more appealing to a younger audience.’ 

‘This past academic year, my students and I worked on analysing emotions in spoken text from reality show "Expeditie Robinson”. The idea was to see if these emotions could be connected to viewership ratings. Students realised how complex emotion recognition is. Emotions overlap, and not everyone interprets them the same way.’ 

‘Each project, students take on different roles, from data scientists who dig into the data to analytics processors who bridge data insights with real-world applications. It is a great way for them to experience the different parts of working with data.’  

Why is the ADS&AI programme so important right now? 

Myrthe: ‘Data science can make work more efficient and open up time for creativity and problem-solving. Our programme is practical and hands-on, focusing on “how-to” skills. Students work with real data from real companies, so they learn early on that there is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution. It all depends on the company, its goals, and the resources available. It is about being adaptable and resourceful.’ 

Have there been any mentors or influences who shaped your career? 

Myrthe: ‘During my Master’s, two female lecturers made a big impact on me. They had such a passion for NLP and were very skilled teachers. The study programme was small, so they offered a lot of personal guidance. I hope to be that kind of lecturer for my students here at BUas.’  

What do you find most fulfilling about working at BUas? 

Myrthe: ‘I enjoy working with students and watching them grow. It is very rewarding to help people directly and see them develop their skills. In a few weeks, I will start a course where I will learn how to enhance the quality of exams and assessments. It is a nice opportunity to help shape the programme’s standards.’ 

What advice would you give to students hoping to become data scientists? 

Myrthe: ‘Don’t let the technical side intimidate you. If you are curious, a logical thinker, and can see connections, you are already halfway there. Creativity is key in problem-solving. The ADS&AI programme gives you a solid foundation, and the skills you gain, like turning abstract problems into solutions, are valuable no matter what path you choose.' 

To find out more about Myrthe's work, visit her profile on LinkedIn.