Friday 5 June 2026
Quantum plumbers know: nothing works in the lab. ‘You should be proud of your mistakes’
In an advanced measurement hall, Leiden physicists are attempting to unify quantum mechanics and gravity. However, the reality of groundbreaking research also involves endless tinkering – and sometimes mopping up. ‘When people think of physics, they tend to picture equations where everything works out exactly. But in reality, it’s not that simple.’
Monday 1 June 2026
Backstabbing comes with the territory: competition among astronomers can be ‘nasty and toxic’
Astronomical research is often a rat race governed by a ‘winner takes it all’ mentality, an enquiry among Leiden astronomers reveals. ‘Why would you put yourself through this?’
Thursday 26 March 2026
The taboo surrounding HIV infections in Indonesia mainly harms women: ‘You are a bad person’
During her fieldwork in Indonesia, researcher Najmah observed that the social stigma surrounding HIV infection is causing an unnecessarily high number of female victims. ‘Neighbours, friends and Instagram influencers dictate that you must be pious and deferential.’
Friday 20 June 2025
One photon in a sea of darkness: how quantum is in the eye of the beholder
Physicists at Leiden’s Quantum Matter and Optics research group are testing the limits of perception with a simple question: can humans perceive a single photon?
Thursday 15 May 2025
The history of the alphabet isn’t carved into stone
The alphabet might be centuries older than was previously thought. Willemijn Waal is launching an academic attack on the theory that there was an “alphabetic big bang” around 800 BC. “It must have been introduced much earlier.”
Thursday 10 April 2025
Expedition Singelpark: Leiden’s Ring of Biodiversity
The marvellous variety of life isn’t just found in rainforests and coral reefs – it’s right below your feet. Maaike de Voogd, a biologist from the Taxon Foundation, explains how Leiden’s Singelpark became an unexpected hotspot for species discovery.
Thursday 3 April 2025
A beating heart in a dish: how scientists create heart cells from stem cells
Roxanne Kieltyka and her research group are designing artificial scaffolds for human heart cells. ‘Our alternative eliminates the need for animals.’
Thursday 27 March 2025
Hanging out with beer, biology and a quiz
Anyone interested in learning more about queer behavior in nature and gender-swapping shrimp can attend Biology on Tap's pub lectures
Thursday 6 March 2025
What makes the first drawn bee brain so special?
Leiden biologist Jan Swammerdam managed to map the brain of a honey bee around 1670, using a simple microscope. Only centuries later did scientists manage to approach his precision. “He was an exceptionally gifted drawer.”
Monday 10 February 2025
‘I want to confront Afro pessimism’, says honorary doctor Kelly Chibale
Science must solve social problems, says professor of organic chemistry Kelly Chibale, who founded the first center for drug development in Africa. Last Friday, he received an honorary doctorate. ‘You have to kiss a lot of frogs to meet the prince.’
Monday 10 February 2025
Honorary Doctor Bonnie Honig fights against Trump: ‘We are being governed by rapists’
The Canadian-American political philosopher Bonnie Honig continues to fight against Trump’s rapeocracy, even though she feels disheartened at times. On Friday, she will receive an honorary doctorate. ‘The ethos is: take what you want, no one will stop you.’
Tuesday 17 December 2024
We need cleaner ditches (and that requires a fact-based debate)
'We cannot survive without healthy aquatic life', warn environmental scientists from Leiden. With an update of their Pesticide Atlas, they hope for 'a transparent debate based on facts'.