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ľ�ϸ���Ӱ�� College Utrecht (UCU) has long been a catalyst for shaping alumni who tackle societal challenges with a focus on critical thinking, interdisciplinarity, and active engagement. Among them are Antoinet van Berkel '20 and Philippe-Jan Ramondt '22, both of whom now contribute their expertise to the (National Think Tank). This esteemed organisation addresses urgent global issues, and Antoinet and Philippe-Jan are using their diverse UCU backgrounds to explore complex problems, particularly in sustainability and circular economies.

Shaping a Vision for Societal Impact

For both Antoinet and Philippe-Jan, their passion for societal change can be traced back to their time at UCU.

Antoinet credits UCU’s emphasis on critical thinking for enabling her to confront issues like systemic oppression, particularly the intersections of nature and gender. “You are always challenged to think critically: why are processes designed the way they are, or what deeper systematic powers are at play?” she reflects. This approach inspired her desire for broad societal change, especially in climate politics and gender justice.

Philippe-Jan, too, found that UCU’s interdisciplinary approach expanded his view of societal challenges. “UCU has taught me that societal issues are inherently interdisciplinary. Big challenges cannot be tackled by reasoning from a singular perspective, field, or subject," he explains. "The interdisciplinary environment at UCU encourages students to explore unfamiliar topics and modules, exposing them to new skills, viewpoints, and people. This approach creates students who are not only critical and naturally inquisitive, but also open to new ideas and innovative solutions to societal challenges." His time at UCU, where social issues were frequently discussed, laid the foundation for his own work on sustainability.

Societal issues are inherently interdisciplinary. Big challenges cannot be tackled by reasoning from a singular perspective, field, or subject.

Skills that Drive Change

The skills Antoinet and Philippe-Jan developed at UCU continue to guide their work in addressing today’s most pressing challenges.

By merging psychology with political science, Antoinet gained a multi-faceted understanding of the human behaviors that drive political and societal systems. “The courses I took in sustainability deepened my knowledge of climate politics, while courses in gender studies provided a feminist perspective on these issues,” she explains. These perspectives are central to her work, where she brings a unique psychological and feminist lens to the challenge of building a more sustainable world.

Meanwhile, Philippe-Jan found that the research skills and collaborative experience he developed at UCU have been key to his success in working on the circular economy. Although his major in neuroscience and cell biology may not seem directly related to sustainability, the interdisciplinary approach at UCU prepared him to understand and navigate complex systems. “The sustainability class at UCU was my first exposure to topics like degrowth and climate equity, which are central to creating a circular economy,” he recalls. The lessons from this course resonate with him to this day, as evidenced by his continued work on these topics, including an interview with architect Thomas Rau, whose ideas he explored in an essay years ago.

Key Insights from DenkTank Research

The DenkTank’s research this year has uncovered valuable insights into creating a sustainable, circular society—insights that both Antoinet and Philippe-Jan hope will spark meaningful discussions among UCU’s alumni and students.

One significant insight from Antoinet’s research reveals that even if the construction industry fully embraced circularity, it would only account for 40% of the necessary CO2 reductions. This revelation has prompted her to critically reassess societal norms and explore sustainable living solutions that balance environmental needs with the pressing housing crisis. “To achieve adequate CO₂ reduction, we simply need to build less. But at the same time, there is a housing crisis. We need to gain a different perspective on living; instead of owning our own as big as possible house, we might consider living more communal or intergenerational,” she explains.

Inspired by the widespread commitment to sustainability among many individuals and organisations, Philippe-Jan highlighted the importance of collaboration and collective action in tackling global challenges. “One of the most remarkable insights was realizing just how many people are actively working toward a circular world—far more than I initially imagined. It gives a sense of hope to see so many passionate and intelligent professionals dedicated to creating a better future for our planet,” he says.

To achieve adequate CO2 reduction, we need to build less. But at the same time, there’s a housing crisis. This forces us to reconsider our perspective on living.

Guidance for Shaping a Better Future

The work of Antoinet and Philippe-Jan at the Nationale DenkTank continues to demonstrate how fresh perspectives and collaborative action can drive meaningful societal change and is a testament to the importance of shaping leaders who will tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. Now nearing the end of their term with the think tank, they offer valuable advice for UCU students and alumni alike who aspire to make a societal impact.

Antoinet’s advice is simple but powerful: “Don’t be afraid to reach out to people! It’s incredible how open people are to having conversations with just a quick message on LinkedIn. In the past months, I have managed to speak to people I have looked up to for a long time but never dared to ask, and people that I always thought would be too busy. But they are very happy to discuss their topic of expertise, contribute to your research or just listen to your findings.”

Philippe-Jan encourages thinking boldly and challenging the conventional: “Being critical of current institutions and how the world operates is very important. Don’t limit yourself by focusing too early on what may or may not seem possible within the current system or society. Think outside the box, talk to many experts in the field, and draw your own conclusions. After that, focus on finding workable solutions. Most problems need a fresh perspective, new energy, and an outsider’s view to create real change.”

Written and published by Kimberly Donaldson, UCU Alumni Relations and Development Officer (ucu.alumni@uu.nl).