A brain adventure
Exhibition
‘Brainstorm’: Everything you wanted to know about your brain
Editorial and
content
In a turbulent world, the spoonbill shuttles between the West African coast and our Wadden Sea. This beautiful, goofy creature circumvents problems, defies dangers, and apparently knows well how to cope with change. We could learn a lot from this bird, as we, too, are facing unexpected and big changes.
All of a sudden, 1984, George Orwell’s famous 1949 dystopian novel, seems more real than ever. Here’s what he once wrote: ‘The past was erased, the erasure was forgotten, the lie became the truth.’ Let us start by trying not to forget and be happy, for example, with the book that was recently published by two alumni about Anda Kerkhoven—the heroic medical student who was shot by the occupying forces in March of 1945 [sic!] because of her resistance work.
A lot is changing in academia at the moment – and not for the better – especially in the United States. In her column entitled ‘Standing firm for our academic freedom’, Rector Magnificus Jacquelien Scherpen expresses her concerns. She wants to continue working towards a flexible university.
In this Spring issue of Broerstraat 5, you will once again read about all kinds of Groningen research that can help the world take a small step forward. Such as the multi-faceted brain research carried out by Iris Sommer, who urges readers to take good care of their vulnerable and much misunderstood brain. Philosopher Daphne Brandenburg looks for ways to strengthen our lack of autonomy, so that it becomes easier to do the right and sensible thing. Furthermore, there are new technological solutions for sustainability problems; in this case the recycling of tricky fabrics like rubber and bullet-proof vests.
And while in the US diversity, equality, and inclusion are currently declared unwanted concepts, in our country researcher Hannah Dugdale received an NWO Athena Award for her commitment in word and deed to precisely those values.
Also enjoy the life stories, books, films and music of fellow alumni in this issue, and take to heart this un-Orwellian quote from the great visionary: ‘The pleasures of spring are available to everybody, and cost nothing.’
Enjoy spring!
Spotified
Alumnus makes music – Playlist 5
Various subjects
News, tips, and
interesting links
The UG on Instagram
The UG on Instagram
Alumni Active
Alumni meetings,
public lectures, and
other activities
Column by
Rector Magnificus
Jacquelien Scherpen
‘Standing up for our academic freedom’
Alumnus abroad
Javier Arnaut is
the only economist in Greenland
Portrait of an iconic migratory bird
TV documentary
about the research into the spoonbill in a turbulent world
Alumni in love
The love between
Tanja & Gijs
Medical student
Anda Kerkhoven
Finally a book about
this heroic alumna
Ain Wondre Stad
Tjarda Struik,
blind mayor of Leiderdorp
Working out or scrolling
Defying social media, fast food, and a
comfy sofa with a
little help
Controversial idea makes rubber recycling possible
Durable bicycle
baskets and flip-flops thanks to the invention of chemical technologist Francesco Picchioni
Dilapidation is better
than disappearance
A documentary
about endangered
monumental gentlemen farms in the Groningen countryside
Diversity improves
health
Hannah Dugdale, biologist specializing
in aging, lauded for her contribution to more diversity in science
Alumni in hindsight
Mathematics
Editorial
Editorial
Broerstraat 5 – Spring 2025
Alumni Active
Alumni meetings, public lectures, and other activities
Alumni Active
Dilapidation is better than disappearance A documentary about endangered monumental gentlemen farms in the Groningen countryside
The UG on Instagram
Working out or scrolling
Defying social media, fast food, and a comfy sofa with a little help
Alumni in Hindsight
Mathematics
Controversial idea makes rubber recycling possible Durable bicycle baskets and flip-flops thanks to the invention of chemical technologist Francesco Picchioni
Ain Wondre Stad
Tjarda Struik, blind mayor of Leiderdorp
Varia
News, tips, and interesting links
Medical student Anda Kerkhoven – pacifist, vegetarian, and resistance hero Finally a book about this heroic alumna
Alumni in love
The love between Tanja & Gijs
Spotified
Alumnus makes music – Playlist 5
Spotified
Diversity improves health
Hannah Dugdale, biologist specializing in aging, lauded for her contribution to more diversity in science.
Portrait of an iconic migratory bird
TV documentary about the research into the spoonbill in a turbulent world
Alumnus abroad
Javier Arnaut is the only economist in Greenland
Column by Rector Magnificus
Jacquelien Scherpen
Standing up for our academic freedom
A brain adventure
Exhibition ‘Brainstorm’: Everything you wanted to know about your brain
In a turbulent world, the spoonbill shuttles between the West African coast and our Wadden Sea. This beautiful, goofy creature circumvents problems, defies dangers, and apparently knows well how to cope with change. We could learn a lot from this bird, as we, too, are facing unexpected and big changes.
All of a sudden, 1984, George Orwell’s famous 1949 dystopian novel, seems more real than ever. Here’s what he once wrote: ‘The past was erased, the erasure was forgotten, the lie became the truth.’ Let us start by trying not to forget and be happy, for example, with the book that was recently published by two alumni about Anda Kerkhoven—the heroic medical student who was shot by the occupying forces in March of 1945 [sic!] because of her resistance work.
A lot is changing in academia at the moment – and not for the better – especially in the United States. In her column entitled ‘Standing firm for our academic freedom’, Rector Magnificus Jacquelien Scherpen expresses her concerns. She wants to continue working towards a flexible university.
In this Spring issue of Broerstraat 5, you will once again read about all kinds of Groningen research that can help the world take a small step forward. Such as the multi-faceted brain research carried out by Iris Sommer, who urges readers to take good care of their vulnerable and much misunderstood brain. Philosopher Daphne Brandenburg looks for ways to strengthen our lack of autonomy, so that it becomes easier to do the right and sensible thing. Furthermore, there are new technological solutions for sustainability problems; in this case the recycling of tricky fabrics like rubber and bullet-proof vests.
And while in the US diversity, equality, and inclusion are currently declared unwanted concepts, in our country researcher Hannah Dugdale received an NWO Athena Award for her commitment in word and deed to precisely those values.
Also enjoy the life stories, books, films and music of fellow alumni in this issue, and take to heart this un-Orwellian quote from the great visionary: ‘The pleasures of spring are available to everybody, and cost nothing.’
Enjoy spring!