Elections in India,
Europe and the USA

Editorial and
content

The University of Groningen has been publishing Broerstraat 5, the magazine for alumni and relations, named after the address of the Academy Building, for
38 years. In Dutch. Since last year our magazine no longer appears only on paper. Two editions per year are printed and two appear online. This online edition finally offers us the opportunity to make a proper English version of our magazine. And so in this Spring issue, most articles are now also available in English.

In this issue we will celebrate the 82nd lustrum in May with an engaging programme. The theme is ‘Making Connections’. Quite literally an open
door – welcome! – because making and maintaining connections is something that the University of Groningen was already doing in 1614 and continues to do, as you’ll see and read as you scroll through this Spring issue.

For example, we make connections with foreign countries, where some of our researchers and students come from, where alumni live, and where elections are closely followed by researchers, such as in India, the US, and Europe. We also make connections by working together with colleagues in higher professional education: professor Katja Loos designs biodegradable plastics at the University of the North.

Another true connector is professor of migratory bird ecology Theunis Piersma. He involves people all over the world in his research into the habitat of ‘watch birds’, who reveal to us what nature needs to sustain itself. Marie-José van Tol, the professor featured on the cover, not only works hard to help prevent another mental depression, but is also actively trying to make science more accessible and appealing to the public. In recognition of her work, she has received multiple awards.

Let yourself be carried away to Bonaire,
the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, André Aleman’s realm of imagination, or
by sanderlings and spoonbills, who will tell you about the changes on the Wadden in this edition of Broerstraat 5.