Tessa wrote her thesis about commercial university rankings. The jury praised the depth of her research and the contribution of her thesis to the worldwide discourse on rankings and Recognition and Rewards.

Tessa conducted her research under the supervision of Professor Cyrus Mody, chair in the History of Science, Technology and Innovation (FASoS). Through the application of quality indicators rankings agencies set the standard for a different notion of quality and excellence. Rankings have contradictory implications, because quality indicators that are criticised such as reputation and international outlook contribute to good rankings’ performances. To evaluate this tension, Tessa investigated practices of data submission, analysis and communication in Dutch academia. Extending beyond the experiences of policy officers, researchers and students, this research provides insights into the subject of rankings and the wider implications of rankings’ practices and excellence-driven policies in public research universities in the Netherlands.