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Last year, when Elanor Boekholt-O’Sullivan heard that she would be awarded the University of Groningen (UG) Aletta Jacobs Prize on 6 March 2026, she wondered whether it was really true. ‘That was indeed the case, and I must admit that for a few seconds there in my office, I was walking on air. Only afterwards did I realize what an incredible honour and responsibility it is to receive this prize.’

Our guest this episode is Roelof Hut. He is a professor of Chronobiology and researches biorhythms in humans and animals. Wim and Hanna talk to him about the evolutionary and neurobiological aspects of biorhythms, the differences between evening and morning people, the effects of the transition to daylight saving time, and why it would be better to abolish daylight saving time.

The Dutch Research Council (NWO) has awarded a Vici grant, worth up to €1.5 million, to Marieke Wermer, Professor of Neurology at the UMCG. This will enable her to develop an innovative line of research and set up her own research group for five years.

How can the law help combat femicide? These and other questions will be at the heart of International Women’s Week at the Faculty of Law, from 6 to 12 March 2026. Come along, join the discussion, and be inspired!

On Friday 6 March 2026, Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning Elanor Boekholt-O’Sullivan will be awarded the University of Groningen (UG) Aletta Jacobs Prize by Rector Magnificus Jacquelien Scherpen. In her previous position as lieutenant general in the Dutch Armed Forces, she succeeded in drawing attention to the still misogynistic aspects of the Ministry of Defence in a humorous way, thereby helping to make the culture more equal from within.

Dutch universities have decided to mutually recognize the Senior Teaching Qualification (STQ). This marks an important step in further strengthening the quality and collaboration within university education.

The Centre for Sustainable Agriculture Transition at Campus Fryslân will be guiding hundreds of farmers in making the transition to a more sustainable business model in which they can operate healthily, with an eye for soil and biodiversity, while still earning a good living.

Brian Hare and his colleagues from the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute (part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Groningen) are shaking up the lightning research landscape. How? By using ASTRON’s large radio telescope LOFAR.

Every spring, the Blaauw Observatory participates in the National Stargazing Days, a weekend full of astronomical activities throughout the Netherlands. The Blaauw Observatory is open for the public on Saturday 28 February 2026 between 6.30 p.m. - 11 p.m.

During the recent Winter Olympics in Milan, two alumnae of the University of Groningen (UG) delivered exceptional performances. Xandra Velzeboer was crowned queen of short track speed skating, winning gold in both the 500 and 1000 meters. Tineke den Dulk surprised everyone by winning bronze in the mixed relay, competing for Belgium.