At FSW, we carry out remarkable projects in research and education. Interdisciplinary, driven by our values, and in collaboration with the world around us. We are pleased to highlight some of our most outstanding projects. This is our 2024 annual overview.

A journey towards change: The fAiM Roadshow

In 2024, the Facultary Academia in Motion (fAiM) Roadshow of Leiden University visited all institutes to promote a cultural shift around Recognition & Rewards and Open Science. The goal is to create an open knowledge community where collaboration between research, education, and society takes center stage.

Hanneke Hulst, chair of the facultary Academia in Motion (fAiM) programme, shared during the New Year's reception the projects that will be undertaken within the faculty in 2025:

• Open Science: further defining and showcasing it through best practices from our faculty.
• Find Your WHY: helping you discover what drives you, what unique role you play, and how you contribute to the goals of your faculty, institute, or department. Everyone has a WHY, regardless of their role—this is your chance to make your strengths and impact visible.
• An exchange program for courses such as academic skills and statistics for lecturers.

These projects were selected from a wealth of input gathered during the fAiM roadshow.

Science for Sustainable Societies: A new interdisciplinary bachelor's programme

How can we tackle major environmental challenges and societal transitions as interdisciplinarily as possible? Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, students will explore this question in the new bachelor's programme Science for Sustainable Societies. This interdisciplinary program focuses on addressing complex environmental issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss.

The curriculum integrates disciplines such as ecology, environmental sciences, psychology, anthropology, and public administration, with a strong emphasis on active learning and co-teaching by both natural and social scientists. Graduates will be trained as bridge-builders who are essential for the sustainability transition and can pursue various careers in government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector.

Leiden Healthy Society Center Knowledge Cafés

Throughout the year, the Leiden Healthy Society Center has organized several Knowledge Cafés. One of the highlights was an inspiring session on the role of fathers in parenting. These Knowledge Cafés provide an opportunity to exchange insights and best practices while reflecting on future initiatives. These events will continue to be organized in 2025.

Certificate for the development of FSW bachelor's students

The Personal Professional Skills Lab (PPSL) has made it possible for all first-year FSW bachelor's students who complete a three-year faculty elective program to earn a certificate in personal and professional development. With this initiative, the Faculty of Social Sciences emphasizes the importance of each student's personal growth during their studies. This ensures that students can apply their subject knowledge, self-awareness, insights, and skills when entering the job market.

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New name and format for the Annual Performance and Development Review

More frequent conversations with your supervisor, explicit attention to well-being, and greater recognition and appreciation for collaboration and team achievements—the annual performance and development review received a new format and name in 2024: GROW.

With GROW (Gesprekken over Resultaat, Ontwikkeling en Welzijn—Conversations on Results, Development, and Well-being), there is a stronger focus on a human-centered approach, encouraging employees to share their own stories.

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The Leiden Knowledge Festival: Leiden at the heart of health and well-being

During the Leiden Knowledge Festival on Saturday, June 22, at the Hooglandse Kerk, residents of Leiden attended various mini-lectures by researchers from the Faculty of Social Sciences.

• Wilco van Dijk, Professor of Economic Psychology, spoke about coping with financial uncertainty.
• Carlijn Bergwerff, Associate Professor at the Institute of Education and Child Studies, discussed improving young people's mental well-being and the role of technology in this process.
• At the Citizen Science Lab, visitors could visualize fine dust particles in the air through photography.
• At BabyLab, attendees got an insight into research on babies' social development.

Leiden University to recognize and value Open Science more

Leiden University has received a €50,000 grant from Open Science NL to develop a roadmap for integrating open science into the strategic plans of various institutes and translating this into HR policies.

Starting in January 2025, the project will support institutes and teams in refining their strategies by setting priorities and objectives, incorporating open science aspects such as Citizen Science or Open Access, and embedding these into HR policies, including GROW discussions, recruitment, and promotion criteria.

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Podcast 'Talk About It': Conversations on mental health

In the podcast Talk About It by the Institute of Education and Child Studies at Leiden University, students, researchers, and experts discuss mental health issues among young adults. They explore the effects of these issues, how they function in the brain, and what can be done to address them. The podcast bridges the gap between science and practice.

Listen on Spotify.

The Nuance Project: Respectful conversations on sensitive topics give students hope

Students in The Hague have launched The Nuance Project, a platform for open and respectful discussions on sensitive topics. The goal is to truly understand and connect with one another, even when opinions differ. The Nuance Project provides a space where everyone can be heard.

During meetings, participants engage in discussions on a specific topic, guided by a dialogue facilitator. Previous conversations have covered subjects such as campus safety and terminology.

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