Interview: Thomas Hoogeboom on the future of Mobility & Health

Why is now the right time for a platform focused on Mobility & Health?

Healthcare in the Netherlands is truly at a turning point. Numerous advisory reports have been published on how to keep healthcare affordable, accessible, and of high quality. One recurring recommendation is that we should view health as people’s ability to cope with the physical, emotional, and social challenges of life. Good mobility is therefore a very important prerequisite for living a healthy life. It is no coincidence that many research groups at Utrecht Science Park (USP) are working on this theme, from the laboratory to the community. The societal impact platform ‘Utrecht Mobility & Health’ offers a timely opportunity to connect this knowledge and expertise. Only by bringing together different research disciplines, organizations and societal partners can we develop and implement the innovations needed to support health, participation and sustainable healthcare for the future.

Mobility is a broad concept. What does ‘mobility’ mean to you, and why is it such an interesting starting point for collaboration?

The term mobility indeed has several layers and meanings. For us, active mobility is specifically related to the freedom of movement of people and animals, in connection with health.

Let me first clarify what mobility within our platform does NOT mean. It does not refer to situations in which mobility is viewed primarily as a logistical issue. For example, the question of how to get more people to USP by public transport does not fall within the scope of our platform. However, if the question is how to get more people to cycle to USP to improve the health and sustainable employability of its employees, then it fits very well. You could also think of 3D-printing techniques to increase the range of motion of a new hip replacement, or rehabilitation programmes designed to improve the functioning and participation of people with complex health conditions.

Because mobility is such an essential prerequisite for health, it is also a very interesting starting point for collaboration. We believe that new collaborations in the field of mobility will genuinely create new opportunities for innovation.

There are already many networks and discussion groups. How will you ensure that meetings within the platform actually lead to impact?

During our first kick-off meeting, we really want to ask participants what their needs are. The platform will only still be successful five years from now if we are able to meet those needs.

In the first phase, we will focus strongly on inspiration and visibility. For example, we will invite inspiring speakers from different disciplines. We also want to showcase what we have to offer, so we are looking for great examples that we can highlight through our website and social media.

Finally, we also want to formulate concrete goals that people can commit to. For example, developing Utrecht Science Park into an environment where mobility, health and physical activity are naturally part of people’s daily routines would be a fantastic goal.

The platform aims to bring together people from different disciplines and organizations. What do you hope will emerge when these worlds meet more often?

These days, we often talk about team science as an important driver of innovation and renewal, and I think there is certainly something to that. The challenges involved in getting people moving cannot be solved from a single disciplinary perspective. You can design an environment to be as attractive as possible, but if someone does not have the strength, balance, or confidence to go outside, they will not become more physically active. The opposite is also true: someone can be in excellent physical condition, but if their environment does not encourage movement, there is a good chance they will not leave the house.

At the same time, I do not think team science is an end in itself. The real added value emerges when people from different backgrounds discover that they are actually working on the same problem and share the same societal ambition.

What I hope is that the platform will become a place where shared ambition becomes visible. A place where researchers, as well as healthcare professionals, policymakers, businesses and societal organizations, can come together around challenges that none of them can solve alone.

The kick-off takes place on 1 October during Utrecht Science Week. What can people expect?

An inspiring event featuring a fantastic line-up of internationally renowned speakers from different backgrounds, all working on the theme of mobility and health. During the session, we will also actively engage with our audience. We hope to identify the needs of potential participants in our platform and, above all, gain an even better understanding of all the great initiatives related to mobility and health already taking place at USP.

But if I’m being honest, the most exciting new initiatives in the field of mobility and health will probably emerge during the drinks afterwards.

Join ‘The Future of Mobility & Health’ during Utrecht Science Week

The kick-off of Utrecht Mobility & Health is open to anyone interested in mobility and health. Six experts will take you on a journey into the future of mobility and health — from biological processes and human behavior to the society we live in. Be inspired, meet others working in the field, and contribute your ideas to the further development of the platform.

📅 Thursday 1 October 2026

• 14:30-15:00 — Walk-in
• 15:00-17:30 — Lectures and workshop
• 17:30-18:00 — Drinks

➡️ Click here for the full programme
📍 Auditorium Accelerator, Uppsalalaan 17, Utrecht Science Park
💬 English
🎟️ Entry is free, but registration is mandatory

Register

View the full programme