Kevin Lam

Kevin has been Coordinator since 2017 and is an IMPRS for Language Sciences graduate from the 2010 Cohort.

In 2004, he left Malaysia for Canada to pursue a B.A. (Hons) in psychology, where he first encountered psycholinguistics. He then completed an M.Sc. in cognitive neuroscience (psycholinguistics track) at Radboud University, supported by a Nuffic scholarship, before undertaking a doctoral programme as a Donders TopTalent grant recipient under the supervision of Prof. dr. Ton Dijkstra and Dr. Shirley-Ann Rueschemeyer at the Donders Centre for Cognition, in collaboration with Dr. Marcel Bastiaansen.

During his doctoral studies, Kevin developed a strong interest in promoting collaboration across departments and institutes. This led him to realise his passion for making a positive impact on others — helping colleagues find ways to engage, optimise their work, and develop their potential.

As Coordinator, he works to build a culture of engagement and care within the IMPRS community. He listens to the needs of its members, encourages self-direction and leadership, and supports people in building fulfilling careers within and beyond academia. He also works to strengthen ties between alumni and current members, and is involved in equal opportunities initiatives aimed at helping under-represented groups become competitive doctoral applicants.

He believes that doctoral training should produce not only leaders within the scientific community, but leaders who listen to and engage with all levels of society.

Food for Thought: Books for Your Journey

The books below are recommendations for anyone navigating doctoral training, academic life, or a career in research — and beyond. Click on any book title to watch a short video introduction.

Each book is labelled either Highly Recommended or Suggested Reading:
•    Highly Recommended — books Kevin considers particularly impactful and encourages everyone to explore, regardless of where you are in your career.
•    Suggested Reading — books that may resonate depending on your interests and personal situation.

Highly Recommended
Seth Godin — Linchpin
What does it mean to do work that truly matters? Godin argues that in any field — including academia — the most valuable thing you can offer is not compliance or routine, but creativity, initiative, and genuine care for your work and the people around you. A book about becoming someone others rely on, and finding meaning in what you do.

Susan Cain — Quiet
A thoughtful and well-researched exploration of introversion in a world that often rewards loudness and constant social engagement. Particularly relevant for researchers: many of the qualities that make a strong scientist — deep focus, careful listening, independent thinking — are introvert strengths. Whether you identify as an introvert or not, this book offers a valuable perspective on how different people think and work.

Suggested Reading
Ryan Holiday — Stillness is the Key
Doctoral training can be intense and demanding. Holiday draws on philosophy, history, and biography to make the case that stillness — the ability to slow down, think clearly, and act with intention — is one of the most important skills you can develop. Practical and readable.

David Epstein — Range
In a world that prizes early specialisation, Epstein offers compelling evidence that people with broad experience and diverse interests often outperform narrow specialists — especially in complex, unpredictable fields. An encouraging and thought-provoking read for anyone who has ever wondered whether their varied background is an asset or a disadvantage.

Scott H. Young — Ultralearning
A practical guide to learning new skills quickly and effectively through self-directed, intensive study. Young presents strategies grounded in cognitive science and illustrates them with real examples. Useful for anyone looking to strengthen specific skills — whether in statistics, programming, languages, or any other area.

Cal Newport — Digital Minimalism
Newport makes a careful argument for being more intentional about how we use technology — particularly social media — and reclaiming time and attention for the things that genuinely matter. Worth reading alongside Ultralearning, as both books are ultimately about protecting and directing your focus.