INTERVIEW

Launch of the ‘True Force Portraits’ series

04/26

April 20, 2026

What does a PhD really look like in practice? True Force Portraits is a new video series introducing LeidenForce researchers through short, authentic interviews. The series opens with PhD student Cheikh Tidiane Dioum, offering a real insight into research life and the PhD journey.

What does it mean to do a PhD? A new video series exploring researchers’ journeys

We are launching this month a new video series dedicated to the researchers of LeidenForce. Through different thematic formats, these interviews offer insights into their backgrounds, motivations, and research work.

How does one become a researcher? What does doing research actually mean today? How is this profession perceived by others? What comes after a PhD?

These videos aim to provide realistic and up-to-date answers by giving the floor directly to the project’s PhD students.

Episode 1: Meet Cheikh Tidiane Dioum

To kick off this portrait series, we introduce Cheikh Tidiane Dioum, PhD student at the Université de Liège.

This first video is part of the “Personal profile and background” theme. It looks back at his academic journey, research experiences, and the steps that led him to pursue a PhD.

Published on 4/20/26

Launch of the ‘True Force Portraits’ series

04/26

What does it mean to do a PhD? A new video series exploring researchers’ journeys

Episode 1: Meet Cheikh Tidiane Dioum

More PhD portraits and themes will be released soon

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