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Behavioural Insights
Thoughtful analysis of how psychology shapes financial behaviour, spending habits, and long term decision making, translating academic research into practical insights that help individuals make smarter, more intentional financial choices.
Selling Yourself (Short)
When making a CV it is important to represent yourself in the most favourable light. You need to be everything a company is looking for,...
Merle van den Akker
May 2, 20195 min read
Managing Time in a PhD
One thing that is often heralded as the biggest benefits of a PhD is its flexibility. There are no real set working hours. This can be...
Merle van den Akker
Jan 22, 20196 min read
My Academic Journey (so far)
On Thursday the 17th of January, at precisely 15:00 my third graduation ceremony will start. In this case, I will be awarded an MA in...
Merle van den Akker
Jan 15, 20196 min read
Teaching to Learn
I have mentioned before that I would be teaching two courses this term. It would be my first (real) teaching experience and I was...
Merle van den Akker
Dec 21, 20187 min read
My First PhD Study: Contactless
There is a reason I was so keen on writing a series about payment methods and the pain of paying. This is what my own PhD research is...
Merle van den Akker
Nov 3, 20184 min read
Learning to Teach
Teaching. I always thought it would take me decades to ever reach the goal of professor. Now, it might still take me decades to...
Merle van den Akker
Oct 19, 20184 min read
Prominence of Price
As part of my PhD (1+3), I had to complete another one year master. The master was an MA in Social Science Research. The last part of...
Merle van den Akker
Oct 16, 20185 min read
At the Conference
An integral part of doing a PhD is going out to conferences. They are a way of finding out what people in your area of study are up to,...
Merle van den Akker
Sep 25, 20184 min read
First Year PhD Review
I promised to answer questions on the blog as well. And no question was as popular as my honest opinion on my first year of the PhD, as I...
Merle van den Akker
Aug 25, 20187 min read
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