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Iris Sommer has been awarded the Stevin Prize for her groundbreaking research into brain functioning, serious psychiatric disorders, and better treatment for female patients. Sommer is Professor of Psychiatry at the UMCG and UG. The Dutch Research Council (NWO) has been awarding this prize to researchers who have made exceptional achievements in the area of knowledge utilization for society since 2018. Together with the Spinoza Prize, it is the highest distinction in the Dutch academic world.

For her groundbreaking contributions to the treatment of psychosis and schizophrenia, her pioneering role in highlighting sex differences in psychiatry, and her innovative use of artificial intelligence in mental healthcare, Iris Sommer has been awarded the NWO Stevin Prize. Together with the Spinoza Prize, this is the highest distinction for researchers in the Netherlands. Sommer receives €1,500,000 to support research and knowledge utilization.

The recruitment process for the new Chair of the Board of the University of Groningen has commenced. Chasse Executive Search has been appointed to support and manage the recruitment and selection process.

A photographic look back at our SECOPS conference in the Netherlands.

Migratory birds such as the pied flycatcher typically have wintering locations in Africa close to others from the same breeding population. A team of European researchers tracked the migration of pied flycatchers from eight different countries, but also performed a crucial intervention: what happens to the birds of Dutch eggs that are being raised by Swedish foster parents? The researchers conclude that genes as well as environment influence where in Africa a bird finds its wintering spot.

Future Tech Ventures (FTV) has invested in Groningen-based startup Ximplic, a spin-off from the University of Groningen developing technology to dramatically reduce the energy consumption of artificial intelligence applications.

By 2030, artificial intelligence (AI) will consume enormous amounts of electricity, land, and water – equivalent to the needs of billions of people, scientists write in a recent report by the United Nations. Is AI even possible within planetary boundaries? In principle, yes, states the UN report. ‘Yes,’ says Xin Sun of the University of Groningen, ‘but not with the current geography of data centre expansion.’

Our guest this episode is Martijn Wieling. He is a Professor by Special Appointment of Dutch Low Saxon and Groningse Language and Culture. Wim and Hanna talk to him about the use and preservation of regional dialects in today's digital age. Among other things, Martijn discusses the Proaten project, through which he is developing speech technology for Dutch Low Saxon, and the mobile Speech Lab, which he uses at festivals to conduct research on regional languages.

The Deeptech Pioneer Fellowship of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) at the University of Groningen has completed a successful first year. Five PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers were given the opportunity to dedicate a full year to transforming their research into commercial ventures. The first results demonstrate that this approach is working.

The US government recently decided to remove monitoring equipment that has been collecting data on the oceans since 2009. However, that decision was reversed by Congress on 17 June. ‘It would have been a real disaster for climate research,’ says University of Groningen professor Richard Bintanja.