On Friday 28 November, Leiden University celebrated its broad pallet of research and education at a unique anniversary event. We took collaboration between fields of science, and between researchers and society, one step further.

On Friday 28 November 2025, Leiden scientists, support staff and civil society parties reaped the benefits of each other's knowledge in The Knowledge Orchard: a unique event to promote cooperation between scientific fields, and between science and society.

In 450 years, Leiden University has developed an enormously broad pallet of disciplines, within which research and education take place. Therefore, the university is ideally suited for interdisciplinary (the “blending” of scientific fields) and transdisciplinary (collaboration between scientists and other parties) activities. Inter- and transdisciplinary teaching and research is seen worldwide as an important way to gain new insights, which can contribute to solutions to modern, complex problems. For example, in the fields of climate, technology, security, law and mental well-being.

Taking dreams a step further

On 28 November, the Knowledge Orchard opened its doors. Leiden scientists and civil society parties could meet, gather contacts, explore ideas and gain inspiration. And thus take their inter- and transdisciplinary dreams a step further. The morning programme (language English) was aimed at Leiden academics and supporters. In the afternoon (language Dutch), parties from outside the university joined them, to satisfy their hunger for new insights within their field of work.