Thursday 18 November 2021
Suddenly there are smart cameras everywhere (and they see everything)
During the lockdown, the university placed smart cameras at all the entrances to its buildings and lecture halls. These cameras are intended to count people, but they can do much more, and experts are concerned. ‘A fine would be very painful.’
Monday 15 November 2021
Protest against termination of sexual violence support group: ‘No more silence’
The termination of a support group for victims of sexual violence, financed by Leiden University, led to loud protests. Too loud, according to some. ‘Never stop fighting the patriarchy.’
Friday 12 November 2021
These students long for a return to online classes: ‘If I stay at home, I won’t be in pain’
The return to traditional education means that online education is slowly fading into the background. For some students with a disability, this is a major setback.
Monday 1 November 2021
Foreign PhD candidates victims of Dutch coarseness
For some of the foreign PhD candidates, Dutch social etiquette can form a serious obstacle. That is what the faculties’ confidential counsellors write in their annual report. They are calling for more attention to the cultural background of PhD candidates.
Wednesday 27 October 2021
The losing battle against summaries
Much to the frustration of lecturers, the slides and summaries of their lectures are being offered all over the internet and the possibilities of intervention are time-consuming and limited. ‘Students are losing academic skills.’
Thursday 21 October 2021
How one lawsuit against the university can have major consequences
A Leiden lecturer contested his third temporary appointment and the court ruled in his favour. What does this ruling mean for all the other lecturers with a temporary contract? ‘This is a good thing for everyone who is getting strung along.’
Tuesday 5 October 2021
Months of room searching leads to nothing but rejection
Now that classes have started again after a year and a half, the floodgates have opened for the multitude of students looking for rooms. ‘I try to stay positive, but I’m very close to a mental breakdown.’
Wednesday 14 July 2021
Sidelined and exhausted: how internationals are striving for legitimacy in the university council
For international students’ accessibility to the University Council remains a battle. The Democratic Student Party (DSP) has encountered language and representation issues ever since joining the Council and now wishes to see things change, reports Adriana Cerdeira. “We’re not guests here, we’re here to stay.”
Wednesday 7 July 2021
One university, two cities, one divide: why internationals never feel linked to Leiden
The “two cities” strategy of Leiden University implies restricting The Hague students’ opportunities. There is a big sense of disconnect, reports Adriana Cerdeira.
Thursday 24 June 2021
Fraud, disappearing evaluations and a toxic environment: how the best statistics group in the Netherlands fell apart
An investigation into allegations of fraudulent evaluation forms grew into a divisive issue at the Mathematical Institute of Leiden University. Administrative failure, discord and a toxic atmosphere led to several resignations. ‘This was by far the best group of theoretical statisticians in the Netherlands. It is a disaster that all these people have left.’
Thursday 24 June 2021
September scenario: the university will be completely open (although…)
The university wants to open up completely in September, but it also has to take into account uncertain frameworks for the re-opening. The long-awaited press conference of Friday the 18th did not bring more clarity and may well have increased uncertainty.
Wednesday 16 June 2021
Meanwhile in Colombia, my brothers and sisters are being murdered (and the world is watching)
After decades under dictatorship, living in poverty and an economic crisis amplified by the pandemic, Colombians could not take it anymore and took to the streets to protest, writes Leiden scholar Angie Alarcon. She is torn by the brutal violence her friends and family have to endure. ‘How can this be a reality for anyone?’