Friday 6 June 2025
This professor no longer feels safe (and is leaving the university)
After almost seven years, Professor Tahir Abbas has handed in his resignation, partly because he no longer felt safe expressing himself at Leiden University. ‘When I walk into the faculty, it feels like I have a target on my back.’
Friday 23 May 2025
Don’t use us as an excuse for repression, say arrested Jewish students
The university claims strict security measures are needed to protect Jewish students. ‘So then why are we the ones being beaten (and ending up with broken bones)?’ ask three Jewish demonstrators. ‘They’re using us for something we don’t approve of’
Friday 23 May 2025
Sudden freeze of Psychology staff’s saved research funds: ‘I had saved up €25,000’
To fill a gap in the budget, the Institute of Psychology took a draconian measure: it froze researchers’ so-called ‘earned funds’. This has led to considerable frustration and uncertainty. ‘My research has been at a standstill for months.’
Tuesday 29 April 2025
‘Our backs are against the wall’, says the Board about 30 million in cuts
By abolishing the international bachelor’s programme in Psychology, the Leiden University Executive Board hopes to avert the Balanced Internationalisation Act. ‘We have to choose between several evils.’
Thursday 10 April 2025
Trump’s war on academics: has the fallout already reached Leiden?
The Trump administration is turning global academia on its head. American universities are being targeted, funding is being cut off abruptly and students are being deported from the country. To what extent are these developments affecting Leiden? ‘It’s getting scary to say certain things.’
Thursday 3 April 2025
We can’t let this happen here: the lessons of Trump for Dutch higher education
While American academics are under fire by the Trump administration there are valuable lessons to be learned for Dutch universities, argues William Michael Schmidli.
Monday 10 February 2025
Honorary Doctor Eliot Higgins has faith in the new generation: ‘Only critical thinking can save democracy’
Eliot Higgins is the founder of the investigative journalism firm Bellingcat, which has uncovered major war crimes. Last Friday, he received an honorary doctorate. ‘Whether I look at it or not: all those terrible things are happening.’
Thursday 23 January 2025
Don't let Urban Studies become the next victim of budget cuts
Now that study programmes in English are in the crosshairs, Urban Studies students are fearing for the worst. Their interdisciplinary bachelor should not dissapear, Anouk Moritz writes.
Monday 28 October 2024
These students broke out of their bubble and decided to learn Dutch
Suddenly, international students have turned from cash cows into scapegoats. The government is working to reduce the number English-taught university programs. Despite this, international students are still taking steps to integrate through language learning. ‘I don’t feel like it’s going to be possible for me.’
Friday 18 October 2024
Humanities overhaul: African Studies to be axed, language and Asian programmes to merge
The Faculty of Humanities is facing a major overhaul: the board plans to scrap the bachelor’s programmes African Studies and Latin American Studies and to merge Chinese, Japanese, Korean and South and Southeast Asian Studies into a new bachelor’s programme: Asian Studies. French, German and Italian are also to be merged into a single bachelor’s programme in European Languages and Cultures.
Thursday 17 October 2024
Obituary: Stefan Landsberger (1955-2024)
Sinologist Stefan Landsberger passed away unexpectedly. According to colleague Florian Schneider, he was a fervent advocate of the humanities with a great sense of humor and deep compassion.
Wednesday 25 September 2024
University Council opposed reappointment of Annetje Ottow following ‘worrying signals from the workplace’
This summer, the University Council opposed the reappointment of Executive Board president Annetje Ottow. The Council had received ‘worrying signals’: Ottow had allegedly ‘created a difficult working environment, particularly for subordinates’. The Board of Governors disregarded the negative advice.