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On 12 December it’s Purple Friday: a day on which we come together to show that everyone deserves to be themselves, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. This year, the university once again shows its solidarity. As tradition has it, the Academy Building will be illuminated in purple.

Researchers Jutta Bolt (Faculty of Economics and Business) and Romana Schirhagl (UMCG) have been awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant. The European Research Council (ERC) awards these personal grants of two million euros to outstanding scientists. With this grant, the ERC stimulates groundbreaking research in Europe.

Robots are being used in more and more applications. In industry, at home, but especially in the service sector. Technological developments in this area are advancing rapidly, but our knowledge on how to best utilize robots in practice is lagging significantly behind, according to Jana Holthöwer. She studies the interaction between consumers and robots. ‘Robots are more than just technical tools – they shape how people experience care, support, and services. The key is not to use them in all circumstances, but to identify the moments when they actually add value.’

André Faaij, Professor of Energy Systems Analysis at the University of Groningen and Director of Science and Technology at TNO, attended the COP30 climate conference, where topics such as climate change, climate adaptation and the energy transition were discussed. He saw many positive aspects.

Dr. Sina Katharina Götzfried has been awarded a Faculty of Impact grant from the to develop a new treatment for brain cancer.

In Science is the University of Groningen podcast where we interview researchers and bring you the latest news and reports from the academic community in Groningen. The podcast is for everyone who is interested in science!

On 9 December, WO in Actie, student unions, various action groups, FNV, and AOb, among others, are organizing a strike to once again draw attention to the disastrous consequences of budget cuts in higher education. The hope is that this will put pressure on the parties forming the new government and thus prevent further deterioration. The Board of the University of Groningen supports this message.

On Purple Friday, which falls on the second Friday of December, schools pay attention to sexual and gender diversity and the ability to be yourself. And that is important because LGBTQIA+ people have higher chances of experiencing psychological symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts, than others. Symptoms like these can already arise at a young age. ’In times of a perceived rise in resistance, schools must show that they stand behind their LGBTQIA+ pupils and, where possible, offer them even more support,’ says Diana van Bergen, associate professor of Suicide and Suicide Prevention among Youth at the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences at the University of Groningen.

At the Wubbo Ockels School for Energy and Climate, researchers are working on innovative solutions to the major sustainability issues of our time, from technological innovation to circular systems and climate adaptation. Much of this research focuses on developing new methods, models and applications that contribute to a more sustainable world. In addition to the technological and policy aspects of sustainability, there is another, equally important question: how do we ensure that people are truly involved in this transition? Who decides on the design of our future energy supply? How are citizens involved? And what is needed to make that involvement truly meaningful?

The Eric Bleumink Fellowship (EBF) celebrates its 25th anniversary. Since its launch in 2000, the fellowship has offered master’s scholarships to talented students from countries with limited resources, enabling them to study at the University of Groningen (UG). Over the past quarter of a century, more than one hundred students from thirty countries have completed a master’s degree in Groningen with support from an EBF scholarship.