Recharge overview
Dean Faculty of Science: ‘Greatest concern is mental health’
Sijbrand de Jong took over from Lutgarde Buydens as Dean of the Faculty of Science this month with a minimum of ceremony. The festive handover was cancelled due to COVID-19 measures. The effect of the pandemic on the sciences is just one of the challenges facing the physics professor in the coming years. How does he intend to tackle them?
Microbes reduce methane coming from Amsterdam’s canals
According to researchers from Radboud University and Utrecht University, Amsterdam’s canals emit relatively little methane. Methane-eating microbes that make their home on the canal walls probably play an important role.
‘The classroom is a society between four walls’
Schools have the task of safeguarding the social safety of students. Rightly so, but this is sometimes easier said than done. Fortunately, small changes, such as a different seating plan, can make a world of difference.
How a mosquito fights a virus
Mosquitoes have strong defense mechanisms against viruses such as dengue and Zika. Yet, millions of people still become infected with these viral diseases via mosquitoes every year. PhD candidate Joep Joosten of the Radboudumc investigated how the defense of mosquitoes against viruses works.
“A lot of specialist knowledge is still unused, we want to change this”
Employees of waste services, city cleaning and urban green spaces carry out their work in the public domain but are to a certain extent invisible. University lecturer in Public Administration Peter Kruyen: “In research into career development and sustainable employability we mainly look at people with a theoretical education. But what do people with a practical training need to get the best out of themselves and their work?” Teacher trainer and research lecturer Jan-Willem Noom (Aeres Hogeschool) takes a look at this issue.
Human brains did not evolve to make sustainable choices
This is a scary thought, if saving the planet is indeed a human choice. We simply did not develop to always make the ’right’ choice, says Professor Alan Sanfey. We need help. That’s what his research on decision-making focusses on.
The basis for better medicines
Tinkering with molecules can lead to better treatments for cancer patients, explains Floris Rutjes, professor of Organic Chemistry.
‘Mosaic helps refugees reshape their lives’
Een tentenkamp is voor sommigen een weekendje weg, voor anderen hun thuis. Om de integratie te bevorden ontwikkelden Pascal Beckers en José Muller-Dugic de Arabischtalige cursus Mosaic. Die aanpak blijkt bewezen effectief.
‘University puts its cards on the table’
During the Radboud Impact Day last month, the university announced that it wants to make a difference for a better, more sustainable world. ‘We are approaching a tipping point towards a more sustainable world,’ stated Marije Klomp, programme director for sustainability.
‘By accepting death, you can live a better life’
As terrible as it is, we are all going to die. Yet we frantically suppress thoughts about death and have difficulty talking about it. “We feel that we are immortal.”
‘Societal impact is the raison d'être of this university’
“It is a trait of Radboud University that there should always be an extra message; doing science is not enough, and it always has been that way. Idealism is a fundamental part of this university." University historian Jan Brabers on Radboud University and societal impact
Supporting green parishes and congregations
According to the Bible (book of Genesis), man has dominion over the earth. Look it up. Theologian Elisabeth Hense sighs. “Yes, that's where the trouble started. The Bible has been misused as a justification exploiting the earth. Pope Francis clearly criticised this in his green encyclical Laudato Si'. He also underlined the importance of sustainability.”
‘More attention to socio-economic aspects’
An application-oriented trend is impacting universities today with a lot of funding available for technological innovation. Willem Halffman, who specialises in the sociology of science, warns about the dangers of this trend. “Sustainability is more than technology.”
‘Regional cooperation between schools and teacher training programmes’
For eight years, Harmen Schaap has been researching the attrition rates of secondary school teachers who have worked less than five years after completing their training. Based to this research, he has made specific recommendations.
‘The human dimension is essential’
“Classical economists study the world as they believe it should be. They see a world of seven billion rational beings who have access to all required information, know what they want and make perfect choices. Since the 1980s, but especially since the credit crisis of 2008, more and more cracks have appeared in the image of this homo economicus.”
‘The rule of law needs constant reinforcement’
Ronald Tinnevelt is fascinated by the ideal of justice and especially by the question of what a just society is. Societal developments lead to different ways of thinking about this question.
Patient with unexplained complaints does not 'nag' at the doctor’s
Patients with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are sometimes seen as nagging patients who exaggerate their complaints. Communication researcher Inge Stortenbeker investigated whether the language used by patients with MUS is indeed different from that used by patients with explained complaints. Spoiler alert: that turns out not to be the case!
‘Waalpaintings’ bring Nijmegen’s history to life
During a coffee break at the beginning of 2020, historians Erika Manders and Dennis Jussen shared their frustration about how obscure much of Nijmegen’s history was. Now, barely two years later, their first ‘Waalpaintings’ have brightened up the city centre of Nijmegen. “When you walk past the paintings, you’ll invariably see someone else looking at them.”
‘Literature widens our perspective’
There appears to be a growing interest in the postgraduate course coordinated by Jos Muijres, teacher of Flemish literature. The course consists of eight evenings in-depth in current literary themes and books, and often ends with a writer's visit.
‘Refugee policy is not in line with European law’
Foreign nationals are treated just as harshly as the parents who were victimised in the notorious Dutch child benefits scandal, says professor Tineke Strik. “The human dimension has been disregarded.”