Job seekers are increasingly likely to undergo pre-employment screening such as a criminal record check. The big question is what tools are used and how is the information acquired assessed?

Science thrives on freedom, safety, and stability. But what if these prerequisites are lacking? What if academics beyond our borders are threatened, persecuted or forced to flee? For dr. Nadia Sonneveld, the driving force behind Scholars for Scholars Leiden, these are not merely theoretical questions, but a call for action.

On Thursday 9 October, a signing ceremony was held in the Alumni Room of the Academy Building for the Waaldijk Orientation Fund. With the signing of the agreement, the creation of this new fund was formally confirmed.

How do you protect the heart after a heart attack and support its recovery? This is what Anke Smits, a cardiovascular cell biologist at the LUMC, is working on. With support from the Leiden University Fund, she is developing an innovative ‘heart plaster’: a biomaterial that is applied to a damaged heart to limit scarring, stimulate natural repair and temporarily support the vulnerable tissue.

What kind of information is actually being shared? Alongside traditional media channels such as TV and newspapers, the rise of social media has made it incredibly quick and easy to inform the public. Do we have a clear enough picture of the spread of disinformation? And what are the underlying motives of people who believe fake news?

The Leiden University Thesis Prize was awarded on Alumni Day on 16 February. On this sunny Saturday, the seven nominees, one from each faculty, came with their family and friends to the Kamerlingh Onnes Building for the award ceremony of this annual prize for the best thesis.

Leiden University and Unicef have already been working together for ten years to increase and share information on children’s rights. They are extending this cooperation. Professor of Children’s Rights Ton Liefaard explains what has already been achieved and what he wants to achieve in the next five years.

Immunotherapy stimulates the cancer patient's own immune system to attack the cancer. However, this therapy is not effective in all patients. With a grant from the Nypels-Van der Zee Fund, Dr Noel de Miranda has developed a rapid, effective test to select suitable patients.

Persecution, conflicts and crises are threatening academic institutions and researchers worldwide. This has major implications for science. Leiden University's Scholars for Scholars programme is helping scholars at risk through crowdfunding.