Leren met de Stad

This research is conducted in partnership with the municipality and Leren met de Stad, an initiative involving Leiden University, Leiden University of Applied Sciences, MBO Rijnland, and the Municipality of Leiden. Here, students from various educational institutions work on societal issues, ensuring their knowledge directly benefits the city of Leiden and its residents. At the same time, students gain practical experience by learning from and with residents of Leiden’s neighborhoods. Students always undertake this work as part of their studies—for example, within the framework of a minor, a course, a graduation project, or an internship. Leren met de Stad employs a transdisciplinary approach by connecting various study programs, organizations, and educational institutions. To facilitate this, students are expected to meet at the Leren met de Stad location in Leiden Noord at least one day a week.

Vitality and Health

In the research lab, students from various levels—universities of applied sciences (Hogeschool Leiden), research universities (Leiden University), and vocational colleges (MBO Rijnland)—work on graduation projects centered on the shared theme of vitality and health in the neighborhood (Leiden Noord). Each student approaches and investigates the topic from their own discipline and perspective, while drawing on one another's knowledge and skills. For instance, the theoretical research conducted by a university student might contribute to the practical professional product developed by a student from a university of applied sciences. In doing so, the students simply follow their own graduation tracks in accordance with their study program's guidelines. Themes currently prioritized by Incluzio and the municipality include loneliness among young people and the experience of public space in relation to healthy behavior.

For this year, students can choose from the following research projects:

1. How can we support international students who are navigating experiences of loneliness or social isolation when they are new to Betasquare and Leiden? (Case holder: Incluzio)
    
2. How can we better align volunteers’ interests with actual volunteering work available or needed? This could be both about making volunteering more appealing and about addressing mismatches between volunteers’ expectations and volunteering work needed (Case holder: Incluzio).
    
3. SOL Leiden (Samen Ondernemend Leren) offers a project on digital youth work and community building: how can an e-sports platform address loneliness and foster social connections among youth in Leiden?
    
4. Dental health care for homeless and unhoused people: an estimated 15,000 homeless individuals and vulnerable residents in the Leiden region do not receive adequate dental care and many of them are not known to existing support services. The causes are not only financial issues and fear, but also culturally determined. Behind that lie even deeper issues. How can these people be reached and supported in receiving dental care, and encouraged to have regular check-ups? Additionally, the question of whether and how these people can be adequately insured remains important to address as well. 
    
5. Turkish archive and tracing the history of the Turkish community in Leiden (case holder: Stichting Gunëy): As input for a a book covering the period 1960-1976 regarding the structural employment of Turkish 'guest workers' in the Netherlands/Leiden and its connection to the current political climate and today's society, Stichting Gunëy is looking for a Master student to conduct research on these (historical) ties between Leiden and the Turkish community and its heritage. Apart from providing research assistance for the book, there is a possibility to contribute to developing a game or scavenger hunt to make the traces of Turkish community in Leiden visible.