Leiden University 2024 Interdisciplinary Milestones

Scientists who 'mix' their fields can come up with all kinds of great new projects to take solutions to societal problems a step further, to provide inspiring and deepening education or to enrich their own field. The mixing of those disciplines is referred to as 'interdisciplinary'. When scientists set up research or education with parties outside science, we call it transdisciplinary.

Leiden University strongly believes in the power of inter- and transdisciplinary work, and as a broad university is also very capable of carrying out this type of work. This is reflected in all kinds of Leiden 2024 interdisciplinary activities. How about:

Research with societal impact

1) RARE-NL joins concortium to find treatments for rare diseases

RARE-NL, a new collaboration between university hospitals, hopes to find treatments for rare diseases.

2) Grant worth millions for research on the socio-economic impact of hydorgen transition

A consortium including economists, psychologists and public administration scholars from Leiden University will study public acceptance of the hydrogen tranisition in The Netherlands. They will look at the labour market impact, public perceptions of hydorigen and businesses' willingness to invest.

3) Headache e-diary aimed at more personalised help for patients and physicians

Funded by a ZonM grant, the LUMC and the Health Campus The Hague will be working with headache patients on research into the use of an electronic headache diary. This resource can help patients gain a better understanding of their migraine attacks and, together with the physician, produce the best treatment plan.

4) Interdisciplinary research and education concerning AI

How does AI impact our lives? The Leiden University interdisciplinairy research programme Society, Artificial Intelligence and Life Sciences (SAILS) looks at AI from a choice of angles.

Groundbreaking interdisciplinary education

Interdisciplinary education brings together students and teachers from a wide range of fields. This has resulted in exciting new combinations, such as:

1) New interdisciplinary bachelor's programme Science for Sustainable Societies

How do you tackle environmental challenges and societal transitions from an interdisciplinary perspective? Starting from September 2025 students will examine this in the new Science for Sustainable Societies bachelor's programme.

2) LUMC first medical programme to include AI in curriculum

How do you make effective use of AI and medical technology? And what role do you play in this as a doctor? This is what the LUMC/ Leiden University is preparing medical students for , right fromthe first year of their studies.

3) Minor Violence Studies: interesting encounters and flying wooden blocks

The English taught interdisciplinary minor Violence Studies looks into the various facets of interpersonal violence. Is this minor for all Leiden students? These two 'colleagues' are certain of it.

4) Six questions about the new minor 'The (un)just society'

The new minor 'The (un)just society' started in September 2024. This interdisciplinary minor provides an in-depth and applies view of social justice in The Netherlands.

Valuable transdisciplinary cooperation

Besides interdisciplinary work, there is also what is known as transdisciplinary work, where science and other societal stakeholders and/or citizens join forces. In this area, too, 2024 was a rich year.

1) Planting polder rice barefoot in the mud: 'Searching for the agriculture of the future'

After decades of intensive farming, the peatland area is under pressure. Researchers, farmers and policymakers work together in the Polderlab to identify future-proof types of agriculture.

2) Launch of The Hague Global Futures Hub

The Hague Global Futures Hub was oficially launched at the Wijnhaven building on Campus The Hague on June 10. This collaboration between Leiden University and The University of Edinburgh represents a significant step forward in adressing global challenges.

3) Students become 'agents of change' in Sustainability Challenge

Leiden students working to solve a sustainability problem at the request of an external party: that is the Sustainability Challenge. During a symposium 28 groups of four to five students unveiled their solutions. The commissioners expressed great enthusiasm.

4) Transdisciplinary health improvement in The Hague: 'Neighbourhoods tell us what they need'

Health condidtions and social problems often go hand in hand. To adress this complex issue in families in The Hague, researchers, managers, support services, policymakers and residents join forces. What are the results of this transdisciplinary approach?

Supporting interdisciplinary cooperation

Strong interdisciplinary cooperation takes time because you need to get to know each other and figure out how to build on that cooperation. As in previous years, Leiden University put a lot of energy into strengthening connections in 2024.

1) New labs merge humanities and digital technologies

The new Humanities Hub in the Huizinga building was officially opened on Tuesday December 3. In the different labs, researchers presented the options for using digital technologies in humanities research.

2) Leiden University awards Kiem grants to interdisciplinary initiatives

Starting an interdisciplinary project is often ot easy. That is why Leiden University encourages the development of such projects with the help of the so-called Kiem grant. This is an annual, one-off grant of up to €10.000 to 25 projects to promote interdisciplinary collaborations within the university.

Interdisciplinary symposia

In 2024, a triptych symposia took place on ways in which Leiden University can promote inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration.