Alumni newsletter - July 2024
You have to start somewhere to give the past a place, the present matters less and less.
This is the first sentence (translated from Dutch) of 鈥樷, a poem growing in the stones of Utrecht's streets. It reflects how past, present and future are connected. Just as this poem continues to evolve through time, we too remain committed to new insights and developments. In this newsletter, we therefore share another series of Utrecht updates: from the presentation of the 鈥Dutch Nobel Prizes鈥 and research into misinformation and deepfakes to a unique campaign by the Utrecht 木瓜福利影视 Fund. We also look back at the successful Sharing Days and offer you the chance to take part in a course of the Utrecht Summer School for free.
Spinoza and Stevin prizes
Two Utrecht 木瓜福利影视 researchers have been awarded the highest prizes in Dutch academia this year. NWO awards these 'Dutch Nobel Prizes' annually to researchers doing outstanding, pioneering and inspiring work.
Climate researcher Detlef van Vuuren receives a Spinoza Prize for his pioneering role in evaluating the long-term effects of various climate and environmental policy options.
Public administration expert Paul 't Hart receives a Stevin Prize for his his achievements in the field of knowledge utilisation for society, including the major impact of his research on how the government responds to calamities.
Utrecht leads research on misinformation and deepfakes
The spread of fake news is a threat to democracies worldwide. Citizens who primarily seek news online are 鈥渂ombarded鈥 with an enormous amount of unfiltered information. This makes it easier to spread conspiracy theories. Professor of Philosophy and Ethics of Techno-Science Frederica Russo is investigating the political risks of fake news and deepfakes as well as the opportunities of AI-generated content for strengthening democratic processes.
A unique welcoming gift
The Utrecht 木瓜福利影视 Fund has launched a special campaign for new members of the Utrecht 1636 giving circle: we have made a limited edition of five miniatures of monumental Utrecht 木瓜福利影视 buildings available to new donors. Members of Utrecht 1636 support one of the fund's goals with a periodic donation agreement of at least 鈧500 a year.
Want to know more about the UU houses?
Looking back at the Sharing Days
The third edition of the Sharing Days took place from 5 to 8 June 2024. We look back on a very successful alumni festival full of inspiring activities and encounters.
The 31 activities of our annual 'celebration of the mind' were blessed with lovely sunny weather. Festival hearts buzzed with live music and joyful conversations. The visitors - you! - enjoyed numerous workshops, tours and master classes on science, culture and sports. City tours, film screenings and various food and drink options were also a success.
'What if Trump Wins?'
"How is it possible that Trump can run for president despite his conviction?". These and several other questions were addressed by UU professor James Kennedy during the online talk "What if Trump wins?". Especially for all our alumni worldwide, we broadcast this talk via livestream during Sharing Days.
Giveaway!
This month, the first courses of the Utrecht Summer School will start again. This year, we can make a maximum of three alumni happy with free participation in one of the following Utrecht Summer School courses, from 5 to 16 August (subject to availability):
Would you like to be eligible for one of the three free tickets? Mail your application and motivation to alumni@uu.nl no later than 5 July. Be quick because gone = gone.
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