How can impunity in Ukraine be addressed? And what is it like to suddenly live under Russian occupation? The annual Hague Cleveringa meeting commemorates the famous protest speech by Professor Cleveringa.

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?

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?

Daniela and Oksana come from Ukraine and are studying in Leiden – Daniela is doing the Bachelor’s in International Relations and Organisations at Wijnhaven in The Hague and Oksana is in the first year of a Psychology degree in Leiden. Since 24 February – the night Putin began bombing Ukraine – their lives have changed completely. They told us about their experiences and the importance of the Emergency Fund for students.

A book with a fake printer, a pamphlet with a treaty that does not exist and an execution print with a supportive crowd: just some examples of forgeries from the early modern Dutch Republic. They are exposed by LUC-historian Jacqueline Hylkema.

Before the Dies Festival for Alumni, friends, family, benefactors and thesis supervisors came to the Grotius lecture hall in the Kamerlingh Onnes building to celebrate the achievements of a group of young talents. These had been nominated for the Leiden University Thesis Prizes and the Schild-de Groen Research Prizes.

On a sunny Saturday, 15 nominees came to the Kamerlingh Onnes building to hear who had won the Schild-de Groen Research Prizes and the Leiden University Thesis Prizes. The stunning Lorentz Hall filled with family, friends, donors and thesis supervisors.