3 April is Walk During Your Workday – Take a WorkWalk

Thursday 3rd April is Walk During Your Workday – the perfect opportunity to get out of your chair and combine your brainstorming sessions, meetings, or introductions with a refreshing walk. Walking not only helps to clear your mind but also stimulates your creativity. Moreover, it contributes to higher efficiency and productivity.
About the WorkWalk
The WorkWalk is an inspiring initiative from HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, in collaboration with the Utrecht Science Park Foundation. This project is based on applied research from Fontys, which carefully mapped out the benefits of walking meetings. The research confirms that walking not only promotes physical and mental health but also leads to higher efficiency and productivity. Inspired by these insights, the WorkWalk was introduced in September 2024 at the Utrecht Science Park. There are three beautiful walking routes of different lengths on the Utrecht Science Park grounds, which you can explore and use every day.

Which route will you choose?
All three WorkWalk routes start at Spar (Heidelberglaan 1B). Scan the QR codes in the image or click on the links below to follow the route via Google Maps. You can also easily follow the route signs from the starting point.
More about Walk During Your Workday
Walk During Your Workday 2025 is the day to combine work and movement. This initiative encourages employees to walk part of their commute, making them more physically active while boosting their creativity and energy. Walking helps to reduce stress, increase productivity, and improve wellbeing. Companies are encouraged to challenge their employees to participate, discovering together the benefits of an active workday.
More information: https://defittemedewerker.nl/wandel-tijdens-je-werkdag-2025/

Utrecht Science Park Summer Café: Farewell to Managing Director Jan Henk van der Velden
On Monday, 6 July, the Utrecht Science Park Summer Café took place at Grand Café Living on Utrecht Science Park. This edition was dedicated to the farewell of Jan Henk van der Velden, Managing Director of the Utrecht Science Park Foundation, after nine years in which he played a key role in the development and positioning of the ecosystem.

UMC Utrecht is to get a new main entrance and a green campus park
The north side of UMC Utrecht is set to undergo a major redevelopment in the coming years. Utrecht City Council and the teaching hospital have presented plans for a new main entrance, a central car park and a green reception area designed to improve connections between the hospitals at Utrecht Science Park. The plans have now been submitted to the city council.

Petra Baarendse appointed new Managing Director of Stichting Utrecht Science Park as of 1 September
Utrecht, 2 July 2026 – As of 1 September 2026, Petra Baarendse will take office as the new Managing Director of Stichting Utrecht Science Park. She succeeds Jan Henk van der Velden, who has stepped down and will take on a new role as Managing Director of Stichting Nationaal Park Utrechtse Heuvelrug.

Opening Utrecht Science Week with keynote by Juliette Legler on the hidden influence of environmental chemicals
On Friday, September 25, the annual science festival ‘Utrecht Science Week’ kicks off once again at Utrecht Science Park. We are pleased to announce that this year, Prof. Dr. Ir. Juliette Legler will deliver the Utrecht Science Lecture. Juliette Legler is Professor of Toxicology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University and leads the ‘One Health Toxicology’ group at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS).