The Dutch universities and the Leiden University Fund are shocked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and empathise with all those affected by it. What is happening there is horrific, and we are deeply concerned about the ramifications for the Ukrainian universities and the academic community.

The winner of the Leiden University Thesis Prize has made an original and substantial contribution to argumentation theory. This is what Annetje Ottow, President of the Executive Board and member of the LUF board, said at the online ceremony for the University’s thesis prizes. The winner of the first prize is Charlotte van der Voort. She received her Master’s degree in Dutch Discourse Studies with the summa cum laude distinction.

Expectations influence our experience of pain. According to psychologist Dr Kaya J. Peerdeman, this is a key factor in pain care. For example, the expectation that taking a medication will reduce pain can lead to genuine pain relief (placebo effect), while the expectation of severe side effects or worsening of symptoms can actually have negative effects on the pain experience. How can we better respond to this in our patient care?

Online and offline, in Dutch and in English, and in various locations around the world: 2021 promises to deliver another great event in honour of Professor Cleveringa’s protest speech. Special duo lectures on freedom will be held in Utrecht and Leiden during the Cleveringa Meetings. After all, what is freedom in a globalising world? And as our borders on earth are becoming increasingly problematic, how will that work in space?

Atherosclerosis and the Darien Gap in Panama will be researched in greater detail this year with a grant from Leiden University Fund. Sander Kooijman (LUMC) and Sander van Kasteren (Faculty of Science) have been awarded a 150,000-euro LUF Impulse Grant to research the cause of atherosclerosis. And archaeologist Natalia Donner has been awarded 75,000 euros to research human presence in the impenetrable land bridge between Central and South America. She has been awarded the LUF Praesidium Libertatis Grant.

The first Leiden Empowerment Fund (LEF) grants were awarded on 25 June. With the LEF, the Leiden University Fund (LUF) is helping first-generation researchers take the next step in their academic career.

The LUF International Study Fund (LISF) will make changes to its allocation process following an investigation into diversity in its grants policy. This investigation, which was carried out for the LISF by, among others, former committee member Mariska Kret and master’s student Marjolijn Wijnen, has shown that female students who submit an application are slightly less likely to be awarded an LISF grant than men.

What factors play a role in determining inclusive leadership in public organisations? On Friday June 4, dr. Tanachia Ashikali answered this question as she shared the findings from her recent research on inclusive leadership with various academics and professionals.

Having lectures on sustainability when you're a first-year student of Law, or a course on climate change when you're studying Public Administration may sound odd, but that is just what Associate Professor in Environmental Sciences Thijs Bosker wants to see happening. Together with his colleague Paul Behrens, he has been awarded a subsidy by the Leiden University Fund (LUF) to develop lesson plans that introduce environmental and climate issues into other disciplines. Thijs Bosker answers five questions.

Once a year the Committee for Academic Expenditure (CWB) of the Leiden University Fund (LUF) awards grants for research and teaching projects, ranging from € 5,000 to € 25,000.