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On Friday 6 March 2026, Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning Elanor Boekholt-O’Sullivan has been 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.

Extra opening hours for the University Library (UB) during the examination period: 14 March to 8 April 2026. During this period, the UB will only be accessible to students and staff of the University of Groningen. Hanze students will not have access during these periods.

In the new episode of University of the Netherlands, historian David van der Linden from the University of Groningen answers questions about civil wars, such as: How do societies find a way to move on after a period of violence? And what are the different ways in which peace can be achieved?

After four years, Lorenzo Squintani is stepping down as director of the Wubbo Ockels School for Energy & Climate. During the WOS Day on 26 March, he will officially bid farewell under the motto 'stronger together through challenges'. 'The development of the School and the establishment of a community have made me a better person and academic.'

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!

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.