In a sailboat, a canoe or stowed away on a ship: during the Second World War, many Leiden students tried to cross the sea to join the Allies in Britain. ‘Soldier of Orange’ is the most famous, but who were the other ‘England voyagers’ or Engelandvaarders as they are known?

Bram Geurds (20) is fascinated by politics. When he was 12, a political debate on TV caught his attention. And he decided he wanted to be mayor one day. Unsurprisingly, Bram is studying political science and is politically active. It might seem like he’s on course to become a professional politician.…

As University historian, Pieter Slaman researches the University’s past, but he’s equally interested in its present. ‘It’s useful to be familiar with issues from the past. Not to be rooted in the past because some developments from history are things you definitely don’t want to repeat.’

As students, you have to navigate a labyrinth of pressures, from academic demands to social expectations, looming futures to environmental concerns. But here's the thing: you're not alone. Did you know that a staggering 71% of students experience pressure, and 66% feel stressed? These numbers aren't…

She stands out for the moderate tone she takes in discussions on Dutch talk shows. Without judgement you can have an open conversation, criminal lawyer Natacha Harlequin learned in her student days in Leiden. ‘What I personally think of the alleged act doesn’t matter so much.’

Personal development, Working effectively

The opening ceremony of the academic year 2022-2023 will focus on the theme of Peace & Security. The ceremony will be opened by Annetje Ottow, President of the Executive Board. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Leiden alumnus Wopke Hoekstra will give the keynote speech on these topics…

The celebration marking the opening of the new academic year will focus on the role that science can (and perhaps should) play in shaping the gamut of policy from the local to the global. This question will be considered from many different perspectives: from both the purveyors (academics and students)…

The Schoof government, which has since assumed a caretaker role, presented its coalition agreement last year, followed later by its budget. As expected, higher education is facing severe cuts. In the coming period, the Executive Board will regularly (see updates below) look at the consequences of what…

The world of museums and heritage institutions as public places have a crucial role when it comes to representation and the formation of narratives. It connects the present with the past to shape the future. But who can relate to these stories and how, when some are incomplete or untold? Which stories…