Popping the Academic Bubble: Expertise Meets Experience
- Date
- Thursday 8 October 2026
- Time
- Address
- FSW Cafe, Agora, Wassenaarseweg 52
- Room
- FSW Cafe
Universities generate knowledge. But how often does that knowledge truly connect to everyday life?
In this Community. Conversation. Connection. session, hosted by Young Academy Leiden, we explore the relationship between academic expertise and lived experience. While initiatives like Academia in Motion often focus on themes such as recognition and rewards and open science, this session highlights something just as important: how universities engage with society.
Is there a gap between academic knowledge and practical experience? Who experiences this gap, and why? And most importantly, what can we do, individually and as a university community, to bridge this gap in a more inclusive and meaningful way?
We bring together four speakers who approach this question from different angles, including activism, public administration, sociology, and academic practice:
• Welcome and introduction
• Presentatie door Prof. Dr. Anchrit Wille, professor of transitions in the public sectorand co-author of Diplomademocratie, exploring how educational background shapes political and administrative power.
• Presentatie door Quin Blokzijl, activist advocating for stronger representation of practically educated citizens in decision-making. As the first MBO intern at the European Parliament, and now working as a refuse collector and public speaker, he brings a grounded perspective on inclusion.
• Presentatie door Dr. Quita Muis, assistant professor on polarization and inequality, focusing on how educational divides influence social cohesion and political attitudes.
• Prof. Dr. Marieke Adriaanse, professor of behavioural interventions in population health and ambassador for Recognising and Rewarding at Leiden University, working towards broader and fairer ways to value academic contributions.
• Panel discussion moderated by Dr. Elizabeth Buimer and Dr. Julie Hall (YAL members and organisors of this event)
• Q+A with audience
Drinks from 16.30-17.30!
Registration
Register here before Oct 6th
Community. Conversation. Connection.
This edition of Community. Conversation. Connection. is organised by Young Academy Leiden (YAL). YAL brings together early-career academics and amplifies their voice within the university. Through its focus on interdisciplinarity, policy, and strengthening the connection between academia and society, YAL works to help shape the future of academia.
The Community. Conversation. Connection. series was established by Leiden University to make room for lectures, debates and meetings about today’s hot-button issues: war and peace, intolerance, human rights, polarisation, securitisation, climate and more.
Let’s get together and listen to each other. Let’s hold an open debate. This is, after all, the beating heart of our university. It’s fine to disagree, as long as we treat others and their views or beliefs with respect.
All members of the university community are warmly invited to take part in Community. Conversation. Connection. You’re welcome to sign up for an event – or to organise your own. Keep an eye on our events calendar!