Reading groups are a familiar and widespread structure for all kinds of academic groups and collectives to exchange ideas and explore topics together. Being a physical, accessible and open space outside of the faculties the University Library is co-organising such reading groups with the academic community, hoping to enable encounters that might otherwise not have taken place, contributing to education and research in unforeseen ways.
This means that our reading groups will always be open to everyone and that sessions are prepared and moderated in such a way that, as much as possible, our space is a level playing field for participants, whether they’re prospective students, full professors or anything in between — or anything outside of the reach, for that matter. Also, a thematic approach invites perspectives from different disciplines, situations and positions to join the conversation.
Current reading group
In the upcoming semester (start September 2026) our reading group on ‘End-of-Life & Religion’ kicks off. Together with researchers dr. Pieter Coppens and dr. Jens Reinke, three initial sessions have been outlined to get the group started. You can find all information through the links below:
- Session 1, discussing Leo Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilyich with an introduction by prof. dr. Dirk-Martin Grube on 8 October 2026, 12:45 till 2:00 p.m.
- Session 2, discussing Simone de Beauvoir’s A Very Easy Death with an introduction by dr. Annemie Halsema on 12 November 2026, 12:45 till 2:00 p.m.
- Session 3, watching Essay Liu’s 7 Days in Heaven with an introduction by dr. Jens Reinke on 10 December 2026, 12:45 till 3:30 p.m.
Coppens & Reinke both approach the topic from a different angle, with Coppens focusing in his own research on premodern Islam and end-of-life; whereas Reinke focuses on contemporary Buddhism and end-of-life. During our sessions we’re hoping to open the conversation to a much wider range of perspectives, such as (but not exclusive to) palliative care from behavioural sciences and medical sciences perspectives as well as literature and philosophy.
The sessions take place during the lunch break, from 12:45 till 2:00 p.m. — and there’s a short break at 1:25 p.m. so anyone with commitments after the break can comfortably leave.
Upcoming reading groups
Currently, we’re in conversation with different individuals and groups about potentially co-organising reading groups on the themes of decolonisation and critical ecologies. Also, our programme maker has an eye out for potential partners for the topics of unlearning, dark times and embodiment. If you’re a student, teacher or researcher who would like to get involved on any of these topics, don’t hesitate to reach out through the address below.