News A selection of news from Leiden University. News ‘Only in this way can we be prepared for both known and new infectious diseases’ Inaugural lecture 16 April 2026 Good and up to date data are crucial for effectively combating infectious diseases and protecting public health. Endowed professor Susan van den Hof a... Why choose? Alumna Vivienne Aerts is a psychologist, musician, teacher and artist 15 April 2026 As a jazz singer, alumna Vivienne Aerts caused an international sensation. As a teacher, she uses her degree in Psychology to help musicians cope bett... Crimmigration conference uses art to foster dialogue 15 April 2026 The debate on migration and criminalisation concerns everyone from citizens and policymakers to academics. The Crimmigration in an Age of Authoritaria... No ordinary sea: who governs the Strait of Hormuz? Law of the sea 14 April 2026 Which law governs the Strait of Hormuz? Under international law, both Iran and the US are expected to comply with the ‘Constitution for the Oceans’. I... Teaching and learning toolkit on stars and their many meanings Uni-visions 13 April 2026 Download free: an inspiring teaching and learning toolkit by Jos van den Broek exploring star shapes, their symbolic meanings and their role across cu... From chants to a voice: how young workers organised PhD defence 13 April 2026 ‘All the groceries, but not a fig for young workers’, read a banner during the occupation of Ahold’s headquarters in 1981. ‘For a long time, young wor... More things in heaven and earth: the benefits of space exploration Impact 08 April 2026 The Netherlands celebrates Space Exploration Day on 12 April each year. Space exploration has brought us ground-breaking discoveries with applications... When criminal law works unfairly against people in vulnerable positions Inaugural lecture on social inequality 07 April 2026 Criminal law can reinforce social inequality. ‘People at the lower end of society are hit harder by criminal law in a range of different ways’, says P... Grant for research into fungus that could make vegan cheese cheaper and more sustainable 07 April 2026 Leiden researchers and partners have been awarded a 1.3-million-euro grant to produce milk protein for vegan cheese using fungi. While this process is... Turnips from Amsterdam? How rooftop gardens can strengthen the food supply chain Green roofs 02 April 2026 ‘Darling, fetch some broccoli from the roof, would you?’ This could be a reality in the future. Ecologist Pengxuan Xie investigated whether rooftop fa... All news items