Events at Leiden Science
The We Are Science Week, inspiring lectures, and enjoyable gatherings. This year, we frequently came together to inspire and connect with one another. Our biggest event took place at the start of the academic year in September: the official opening of our new Gorlaeus building.
New Year’s Reception
We started the new year together at the New Year’s reception in the atrium. An opening speech by vice-dean Bart de Smit, a mini-lecture on exoplanets by Yamila Miguel and the presentation of three faculty awards. Together with colleagues and students, we raised our glasses to a new year full of great collaborations, science and education.
Miguel’s lecture was the second in our new lectures series ‘Tuesday Talks: Science Insights’. She spoke about her research on rocky exoplanets with the James Webb Space Telescope.
Come celebrate the start of 2025 with us!
Do we see you at the New Year’s Reception on Tuesday 7 January?
New Year's Reception-
-
Yamila Miguel presents about her research on exoplanets -
-
Yamila Miguel also won the award for Science Teacher of the Year 2023 -
The Leiden Science Young Talents, from left to right: runner-up Darcy Reynolds, Willemijn van der Heijden, winner Dominique Lawson and Romme van der Kemp -
Environmental scientists Bregje Brinkman won the C.J. Kok Jury Award for best thesis of the year 2023
Celebrating the New Year again?
When you walk into the Gorlaeus Building, you will notice it immediately; the artwork ‘The Cloud’ hangs prominently in the hall and cannot be missed. Artist Jos Agasi designed it especially for this location. ‘Intuition, imagination and creativity. Scientists and artists have more in common than they think.’ We unveiled the artwork this April. Another step closer to the completion of our beautiful new building.
Artist Jos Agasi about his work The Cloud
This video can not be shown because you did not accept cookies.
You can leave our website to view this video.Bingo, barista and drinks: a successful We Are Science Week
In May, for three days our faculty was all about We Are Science Week: the community event full of fun activities for our staff and students. Besides the famous Beat the Professor PubQuiz, this year you could take USC yoga classes in the Gorlaeus garden, escape from Einstein’s Escaperoom and sing along at the top of your lungs during karaoke in De Fusie.
-
Need to relax between lectures and busy appointments? That was possible during a Yin Yoga class by the USC. -
Outside you could play various games such as table football, mega four in a row and corn hall. -
Afterwards, you could get a nice cup of coffee from a real barista. A cappuccino, a latte macchiato or a chai: Guus made it all! -
-
Always wanted a Leiden Science shirt? We handed out old year shirts to everyone who wanted one! -
On Tuesday evening, it was time for the famous Beat the Professor PubQuiz! The entire atrium was packed with candidates -
It remained exciting until the last moment, but in the end team LST & MST Power were this year’s winners -
3, 65, 89. Bingo! In De Fusie, prizes were strewn about: some won an inflatable crocodile, others won University gadgets. The evening ended with karaoke. -
Once again, the poffertjes were a great success this year! If you wanted to score a portion, you did have to join a long queue… -
Leiden Science writing coaches were on hand to improve your writing skills. -
And those with nerves of steel could try to escape from Einstein’s Escaperoom. Over 40 teams made an attempt.
The grand opening week
Confetti, stilt walkers and the new Einstein Fountain. On Monday, 2 September, the Gorlaeus Building of the Faculty of Science was festively opened. Together with Constantijn van Oranje, our students cut the ribbon. Dean Jasper Knoester: ‘The building is ready, now it is up to our students and researchers to provide the building blocks for tomorrow’s knowledge and innovations.’
With the activation of the Einstein Fountain, the Rosalind Franklin Square is now fully complete. Artist and Leiden physicst Vincent Icke was inspired by Einstein's physics. In the fontain, the water moves like light moves in a spinning black hole.
Report of the official opening ceremony
Opening Gorlaeus Building celebrated grandly
Read the report and watch the photos
After the official opening on Monday, the week continued with more activities. On Tuesday, there was a special Tuesday Talks: Science Insights by science communication expert Ionica Smeets on misleading graphs. After her thought-provoking lecture, the band The Stream closed the evening with a reception featuring spectacular special effects by Stichting Rino.
On Thursday, we wrapped up the opening week with a lively party for staff and students.
This video can not be shown because you did not accept cookies.
You can leave our website to view this video.