Review previous editions
Utrecht Science Week has quickly become a leading annual event that brings together science, innovation and collaboration. Since its first edition in 2021, the week has offered a platform for inspiring initiatives from educational institutions, research organisations, companies and social partners in and around Utrecht Science Park. View the retrospective of previous editions here.
2025 – Looking ahead: five years of impact
Utrecht Science Week 2025 marks the first lustrum. In retrospect, it has become clear how the week has grown into an important platform for knowledge sharing, meeting and collaboration in five years. The programme once again brings together scientists, students, entrepreneurs and residents of Utrecht and beyond.
2024 – From regional to national
In 2024, Utrecht Science Week will have a more national appeal. Themes such as sustainable urban development, AI in healthcare, and the power of regional cooperation were central. Traditionally, this year there was again a special opening with the third Utrecht Science Lecture by Peter Luijten. Of course, there were also the recurring events, such as the ‘Betweter Festival’, ‘Weekend van de Wetenschap’, ‘Dag van de Duurzaamheid’ (with the Spacebuzz by André Kuipers), het ‘Ziekenhuis van de Toekomst’ and the final of the ‘Sustainable City Challenge’. But also for the first time there was a walking dinner with the official kick-off of the collaboration platform ‘Utrecht Cancer‘.
2023 – Science for everyone
The third edition in 2023 had as its guiding motto: Science is by and for everyone. The program became more inclusive and accessible, with more public activities and interactive sessions. In addition to the regular broad events, such as the ‘Betweter Festival’, ‘Weekend van de Wetenschap’, ‘Dag van de Duurzaamheid’ and the final of the ‘Sustainable City Challenge’, interesting events also took place such as the second Utrecht Science Lecture by Bert Weckhuysen, the symposium ‘The Future of our water’ and ‘Healthy and sustainable food’. But also a real crowd pleaser: the first edition of the ‘Hospital of the Future’ (Ziekenhuis van de Toekomst) in the UMC Utrecht.
2022 – Growing engagement and audience reach
In 2022, Utrecht Science Week grew in size and visibility. New partners joined, including companies and government institutions. The week opened with an official opening of Utrecht Science Week with a poem by Robin Lechner about Utrecht Science Park and Utrecht 900. The first Utrecht Science Lecture by Hans Clevers took place, as well as events such as a Hackathon, KNMI climate report, Healthy living theme day and the Final of the Sustainable City Challenge.
2021 – The first edition: making collaboration visible
The very first Utrecht Science Week took place in October 2021 and was all about making the unique collaboration within the Utrecht Science Park visible. Organisations such as Utrecht University, UMC Utrecht, Hogeschool Utrecht and the RIVM worked together on the first online programme. Originally, the events were to take place live, but this was not possible due to the pandemic (Covid-19). The week was organised around the themes of sustainability and health with leading speakers such as Marc Bonten, Eelco Hoving, Peter Luijten, Andrea Maier and Mariana Mazzucato.