Close-up #5
By making their work visible, researchers foster much-needed understanding and support for science. This tireless effort deserves not only recognition, but also continued support.
Dialogue in times of polarisation
The social debate hardens. You see it in the Dutch parliament, on social media and in living rooms. Three quarters of Dutch people worry about polarisation. And for some of them, disagreements about migration, climate and the war in Gaza, for example, lead to conflicts among family or friends. How do scientists and programme makers navigate this social minefield?
Capturing musical heritage for future generations
In the Moluccan Protestant community in the Netherlands, it has been customary for the past five generations to sing religious songs together. Yet little is known about this tradition brought from the Moluccas. Religion scholar Jip Lensink, with support from the Public Engagement Seed Fund, organised a singing event to record this musical heritage for future generations.
Science on a 30-metre scaffold
For a week, they stood in the murderous heat on 30-metre-high scaffolding, using heavy cameras to meticulously photograph the ceiling of a 16th-century church in Naarden. The end goal was a 3D model of the detailed paintings of biblical scenes, mapped by a group of international students in collaboration with Factum Foundation. Art historians Sanne Frequin and Daantje Meuwissen led this summer school in August 2024.
What if children meet a real professor?
In March 2025, Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ professors cycled to primary schools for the tenth time during Meet the Professor. Researchers meet children, answer questions and try to dispel stereotypes surrounding science and scientists. Schools and professors have been enthusiastic for years. But does it work? Social scientist Madelijn Strick and program maker Lieke Dekker investigated it. The results were published in an international scientific journal.
Indigenous wisdom and scientific insight: a partnership in the Banggai Islands
Together with the Seasea community, an island tribe in the middle of the vast Indonesian archipelago, social geographer Annisa Triyanti and conservation biologist Mochamad Indrawan are shaping conservation policies. Through shaping these policies together with the community, the researchers hope the policies will be better embraced and implemented.
Indigenous and local knowledge are increasingly recognized to be on par with science.
Vocal pedagogues in the cutting room
Claudia Wolschrijn shows vocal pedagogues what an animal's larynx looks and feels like. This teaches them not only how a larynx works, but also how to apply that knowledge to using the voice and solving vocal problems.
What drives you?
Despite the increased workload, some researchers still choose to continue investing time and energy in engaging a general audience with their research. What motivates them? We ask two humanities scholars.
Visitors help researchers
What is your favourite place to play? What position do you sleep in? What do you think of pigeons? UMU (Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ Museum) lets visitors see and experience how science works. And what better way to experience this than by participating yourself? As a citizen scientist, visitors can help scientists by collecting data or by participating as a test subject.
Testing ground for postdocs
In 2024, ten postdocs from the Faculty of Science immersed themselves in public engagement for a year. They participated in the Public Engagement Academy for postdocs, a pilot organised by the faculty's communication department and the Centre for Science and Culture. What did this course bring them? Two participants and one of the initiators tell us.
The leap forward
‘We need to democratise science, make it work for everyone. After all, how do voters know what science has to offer them if they never hear about it?’ director of NEWS (National Expertise Centre for Science & Society) Sicco de Knecht on the importance of public engagement.
Young people and Europe: how theatre is changing their view of politics
Theatre productions and shows in schools to make politics more appealing to young people: a fine goal of de Kiesmannen, but how effective is this creative approach? Researchers from Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ asked hundreds of young people about their confidence and interest in the European Union before and after watching a production by de Kiesmannen.
On a day like today, I feel like I am part of a community that also feels this is important.
Talking about stimuli
How can we eliminate lack of understanding about overstimulation and make it open for conversation among people experiencing overstimulation, their loved ones and experts such as doctors and researchers? With the project ‘Hersenschimmen: Talking about Stimuli', Dr Mark Bos is exploring how generative AI can be used for this purpose.
Science for everyone
UMU (Universiteitsmuseum Utrecht) works to reach young audiences for whom museum visits are not a given, or who are at a distance from science. Promoting equal opportunities requires that children in relative poverty also have access to these enriching experiences.
‘You hear questions you would never have thought of yourself’
Pitch competition Breaking Science, children's science festival Kennisknetters, the Weekend of Science: there are all kinds of public engagement activities you can participate in as a young researcher. But why would you do that at a stage in your career when you are busy putting yourself on the map as a scientist? What does it yield? We asked two young researchers about their experiences.
Practice makes perfect
A soulless beach volleyball, a flashy introductory video or a touching anecdote. PhD students are increasingly taking the opportunity to explain what their research is about in understandable language preceding their defence. This so-called Layperson's talk makes the research more accessible to their audience and makes PhD students feel that their research matters. They can undergo training to ensure they are well prepared.
The future of the veterinary past
UMU (Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ Museum) and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine are reshaping their long-standing collaboration. Recently, Merlijn Barkema started as junior curator of Veterinary Medicine at UMU and Floor Haalboom was appointed associate professor of veterinary history at the faculty. Together with other colleagues, they are developing innovative plans to integrate veterinary heritage into education, research and museum programming.
Other issues Close-up
Columns, background stories, and experiences of researchers and support staff: Close-up magazine highlights the connection between public and science at Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ. Get inspired by the examples in the magazines, develop your own ideas and find suitable partners to realise them.