Wednesday 11 February 2026
Everything must change because of AI: ‘It’s very difficult to detect’
How do you test students’ knowledge now that they are increasingly using AI? Lecturers from the Faculty of Humanities discussed this topic during a symposium. ‘I’ve had students in my tutorials who don’t even know where the library is.’
Wednesday 11 February 2026
‘Time to start taxing the super-rich more’, says French economist Gabriel Zucman
The wealthiest people pay significantly less tax than the rest of the population, including in the Netherlands. That needs to change, according to French economist Gabriel Zucman, who recently gave a lecture in The Hague. ‘They are gaining more and more power to influence ideology.’
Thursday 5 February 2026
Science is fine without women
After a couple of days back at work I got the first Faculty of Science newsletter of the year in my mailbox. One announcement caught my eye: “These scientists will lead the Science strategic research themes”, themes that are meant to connect between different disciplines and to increase our faculty’s global visibility. I read it and then read it again. I was not the only one that noticed: These leaders are all men.
Thursday 5 February 2026
University lecturer: Childcare facility De Kattekop is not peripheral to the university’s mission
The university is more than just lecture halls and labs. Ensure childcare is provided and don't cut back on De Kattekop, argues anthropology lecturer and mother Elsa Charléty. "Good childcare is crucial for academic life."
Thursday 22 January 2026
China could set the region ablaze
Tensions between China and Japan continue to rise. The stakes: the fate of Taiwan. According to Sinologist and Japanologist Casper Wits, a conflict could cause a domino effect across democracies worldwide. ‘Relations have reached their nadir.’
Friday 28 November 2025
She witnessed the Uyghur genocide first-hand: ‘I will never forget the eyes of the prisoners’
Kalbinur Sidik was forced to teach Uyghur prisoners in Chinese concentration camps, until she fled to the Netherlands in 2019. ‘I lived in constant fear: when would it be my turn?’
Tuesday 18 November 2025
Time for security to stand down: Leiden’s ‘War on Terror’ is based on delusions
In the wake of blind panic over a single lost stranger, the university implemented a strict security regime that remains in place to this day. Now that this blunder has finally been acknowledged after two years, there is only one logical next step: to scale back the measures.
Tuesday 4 November 2025
The Board ‘is working themselves to the bone behind the scenes’
During the campaign, there was a conspicuous silence about political plans for universities. But there is plenty of lobbying going on in The Hague, assures vice president of the Executive Board Timo Kos. ‘We’re fighting for proper funding.’
Thursday 9 October 2025
“We shall overcome!” Why I’ll be bringing my guitar to class from now on
To avoid having to talk only about history, William Michael Schmidli brought his guitar to the lecture hall. Song by song, he wants to show his students why the humanities are essential right now.
Monday 29 September 2025
High thresholds for wheelchair users: ‘I don’t feel welcome’
Closed doors, events in inaccessible locations, and lecturers who refuse to adapt: students with disabilities still encounter numerous obstacles, as Avalon Leiman has experienced. ‘It’s an awful feeling to be permanently excluded.’
Monday 29 September 2025
Why it is ‘understandable’ that Hofman cannot be dismissed despite misconduct
How is it that the university cannot dismiss Caribbean archaeology professor Corinne Hofman, even though the court ruled that her misconduct was plausible? Employment law specialists respond to the ruling.
Monday 15 September 2025
Why smart sex robots are far from harmless: ‘They normalise violence against women’
Sex robots are becoming increasingly intelligent thanks to AI. The lack of regulation is ‘extremely problematic’, argues legal specialist Carlotta Rigotti. ‘You can have them act out a rape scenario.’