Organisation
Call to Creative Students: Design a Name and Logo for Our Humanities Labs!
In 2028, the doors will open to a brand-new building that will bring together all labs of the Faculty of Humanities under one roof — from podcast studios to VR labs, from AI to phonetics. And you now have the chance to (almost literally) leave your mark.
We’re looking for a powerful name and a distinctive logo that will give the collective Humanities labs a strong identity. If you are creative, good at drawing, or skilled with design software, this is the perfect project for you! All students and staff members are invited to take part. You can submit a name and design individually, in pairs, or as a group.
What are we looking for?
- A name that is appealing, easy to remember, and reflects the full scope of labs within the Faculty of Humanities.
- A logo that is visually strong, timeless, and recognisable.
- A name and logo that are original and not already in use or too similar to existing ones.
The winning design will be carefully selected by a committee of representatives from the various labs.
What's in it for me?
In addition to the chance for your design to be featured for years to come in the Aleida Nijland building, on the website, and in all communications about the labs, the winner will also receive a special prize, tailored to the theme of digital humanities. We’ll discuss what would make you (or your team) happiest.
Want to enter?
Send your idea (name + logo + short explanation) to huisvesting@hum.leidenuniv.nl by 15 November at the latest and help us put our labs on the map!
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The Faculty of Humanities offers a wide range of specialised labs for researchers and students. The lab environment in the Aleida Nijland building will soon become a central hub for all these labs, studios, and dedicated research and teaching spaces. Its modern digital infrastructure and professional equipment will provide a stimulating setting for innovation, collaboration, and experimentation. For students, the labs offer ample opportunities to develop digital, research, and media skills.
The Aleida Nijland will host several Social Sciences and Humanities Labs (SSH labs), designed for collecting behavioural and neuroscientific data and producing audio and video recordings. A wide range of experiments in linguistic research can be conducted here, including studies on translation and translation technology. These soundproof labs are ideal for phonetic analyses and speech recordings in controlled settings, supporting both research and teaching.
The Humanities Hub labs will also move to Aleida Nijland. The Hub is the beating heart of digital research, skills development, and media education. In the Digital Lab, students and researchers can access advanced equipment, expert guidance, and collaborative space. Regular lectures and workshops help strengthen digital skills. The Journalism Lab bridges theory and practice, offering a dedicated space for journalism education and research. The podcast and livestream studio, along with the film studio, enable professional content creation in an optimal setting with modern recording equipment.
In addition, the AI Lab, the LUDIC Lab (focused on games), and the Maker Space will expand the research possibilities within the humanities in innovative ways.
Bringing all the labs together in one accessible ground-floor location will foster cross-pollination between disciplines, strengthening our faculty’s position as a breeding ground for leading research and education. The transparent layout of the labs makes the work happening here literally visible — a dynamic and inspiring environment where the future of the humanities is being shaped.