
On hot summer days, temperatures can rise significantly at Utrecht Science Park, while students are looking for places to study, relax and find some shade outdoors. At the same time, planting trees is not always straightforward: underground, the campus is crisscrossed by a dense network of cables and utility lines. So how can we create shade, greenery and places to relax without major changes to the ground?

The sixth edition of Utrecht Science Week takes place from Friday, 25 September to Sunday, 4 October. During this time, Utrecht Science Park opens its doors to the general public, showcasing how research, innovation, and collaboration lead to tangible societal and economic impact. At the same time, the week underscores the importance of sustained investment in knowledge and innovation.

Healthcare in the Netherlands is at a turning point. The new Societal Impact Platform Mobility & Health aims to connect knowledge and expertise across research disciplines, organizations and societal partners. We spoke to Thomas Hoogeboom, Professor of Physiotherapy Sciences and initiator of the platform, about the importance of mobility for health, the value of collaboration and what to expect from the kick-off during Utrecht Science Week.

From a promising idea to a startup: getting there takes more than a good idea. UtrechtInc is a startup incubator that supports students, researchers and entrepreneurs in the Utrecht region during the early stages of their startup. Through validation programmes, personal guidance and a network of experts and investors, UtrechtInc helps founders develop and test their ideas.

The holidays are over, and the sports season has kicked off again! With packed schedules and tight deadlines, it is tempting to just keep working. Before you know it, you’ve spent hours in front of your screen or in the lab without taking a real break. Especially when things are busy, physical activity can help you unwind and gain new energy and inspiration.

In the Netherlands, approximately 85 million kilograms of waste from incontinence materials are generated every year. Washable alternatives could help reduce this waste stream, but switching to washable materials is not yet common practice in healthcare. What is holding back this transition, and what is needed to make washable incontinence materials more widely applicable?

The Earth is warming, yet the Netherlands could face much colder winters in the future. It may sound contradictory, but the explanation lies in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a large system of ocean currents that transports heat and salt through the Atlantic Ocean. This circulation plays an important role in the mild climate that we are accustomed to in the Netherlands.

Veterinary medicine is changing rapidly. New technologies and AI are entering the field, issues surrounding animal health and welfare are becoming increasingly complex, and the labour market is under pressure. At the same time, there is a growing need for professionals who not only have up-to-date expertise, but who can continue to develop throughout their careers and collaborate across disciplines.

High Five, SSH’s newest student housing complex at Utrecht Science Park, has been completed! The first residents received the keys to their new homes last week. With 921 residential units, High Five makes an important contribution to increasing the supply of student housing at Utrecht Science Park.

Survival rates for children with cancer continue to improve thanks to better diagnostics, more effective treatments and scientific research. The Princess Máxima Center and Stichting Kinderen Kankervrij (KiKa) announced the figures at the start of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Of the children diagnosed with cancer between 2010 and 2014, 83.2% were still alive ten years later. Among children diagnosed with cancer between 2000 and 2004, this figure was 77.1%. The survival figures were compiled by the Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL).

Water affects everything from our health and nature to the way we design our cities and shape our economy. But how can we ensure that our water system remains resilient to climate change and other challenges in the future?

What will the doctor of the future look like? Changing insights into healthcare, technological developments such as AI, and evolving patient expectations call for a renewed approach to medical education. That is why UMC Utrecht is updating its medical curriculum under the name The New Utrecht Doctor