Alumni end up in the most diverse places. Where? And in what roles? With interviews, columns, articles and images, we give the stories of today's humanities scholar a well-deserved stage.
idea is a semi-annual publication of the Faculty of Humanities. Have a question for the editors or want idea in your inbox (free of charge)? Get in touch via humanities.idea@vu.nl.
“I have often wondered over the past year: as humanities scholars, in the face of what is coming our way, what is it that keeps us going? What is it that connects the faculty and broader community of humanities scholars?”
Read the foreword by René van Woudenberg, dean of the Faculty of Humanities
"None of you will get a job in our field," provoked a lecturer on the very first day of studying art and architectural history. Judikje Kiers was immediately determined to prove the opposite. She more than lived up to that. For example, she led museums and complex renovations of historical heritage. As director of the Amsterdam Museum, she is now advocating for connecting with all Amsterdammers.
Read the interview with Judikje Kiers
"There are many companies active in the field of neurotechnology. If you use algorithms and think about what connections can possibly be made there... We are not there yet, but you don't want to be surprised by these technologies. With the internet, we were too late to think about issues such as privacy and influence by algorithms. And then this is the next level compared to the internet."
Read the interview with Professor of Bioethics Gerben Meynen
Camilla Mattaliano Belforti studied Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE) at VU Amsterdam and holds an MSc in Gender, Policy, and Inequalities from the London School of Economics. After finishing as a Research and Data Intern in Bangkok, she now will start as Research and Data Consultant at the UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, where she leverages data to advance women's economic empowerment. As she prepares for her new job she shares highlights from a week in her previous role as an intern.
Have a look at Camilla’s workweek
How did scientists come up with the idea of researching smells? It is a question that Professor of Cultural History Inger Leemans has often heard. "Scent research is seen as a niche by many, while scents are super important phenomena in our society. We smell scents all day, they help us remember, we communicate with them, we make relationships with them. Scent is part of our cultural heritage."
Read the interview with Professor of Cultural History Inger Leemans
“Attention to mother tongues and cultures creates a sense of home"
“The theme of this issue of idea is ‘progress? However, not all progress is easily measurable. That is why humanities scholars must remain themselves, continue to address and develop their own intellect, continue to study their philosophy, their insights into the past, language, media and the diverse art and cultural expressions and advance them in the interest of society.”
Read the foreword by Freek Schmidt, vice-dean of education
The chance discovery of a philosophy book in a cabinet in Bangladesh was, in retrospect, the start of a second career for Nina van Egmond. The nursing lecturer would eventually obtain a PhD on the importance of human dignity for migrants. Since 2017, she has been a programme manager at the Dutch Council for Refugees. ‘Progress changes the way we live, but it's not necessarily an improvement.’
Read the interview with Nina van Egmond
The weather, grain prices, newspaper reports, local highs and lows or the effects of a flood -- a small selection of the subjects that earlier chroniclers found worthwhile recording for posterity. For Erika Kuijpers and her team, the chronicles formed the basis of a unique project that resulted in an online data collection with more than 22 million words, more than 200 chronicles that are comprehensively searchable by everyone
Read the interview and take a look behind the scenes
‘Let's talk a little less about what artificial intelligence does and a little more about how it works. Dismissing the technology behind it as something for betas is a luxury we can't afford, ’says Professor of Journalism Studies Damian Trilling.
After obtaining a bachelor's degree in urban planning, Boj van den Berg pursued a master's degree in Heritage Studies at VU Amsterdam. Currently, as a pioneering urban planner, his work includes leading his Landscape Studio New Grounds and working for Marineterrein Amsterdam. This area serves as a testing ground for urban issues. Boj is responsible for setting up and carrying out experiments in the outdoor space.
In 9 images he shows us his work week
In this edition of idea, you read all about what’s going on at the faculty— and it’s a lot, and diverse, and both interesting and important. In this edition of idea:
Floris van Dijk is head of historical research and collection at National Monument Kamp Amersfoort. Between 1986 and 1992 he studied Archaeology at VU Amsterdam. “It's bizarre when you realise what happened in Nazi Germany in just 12 years. That has no precedent in the history of mankind.”
Süleyman Tosun studied Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE) and Law and Politics of International Security (LPIS) at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Süleyman currently works at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since August, he has been working at the Dutch Embassy in Dakar, where he focuses on climate, water, coastal protection and renewable energy in the economics department.
In 9 pictures he shows his workweek
Jacqueline Bel is deeply concerned about the misconceptions surrounding Dutch as a subject. That is why she is so pleased with the new three-year course in Creative Writing in Dutch, which students will be able to choose at VU Amsterdam in the next academic year. "The world is largely built on the power of stories. Look at politics, the courtroom, psychology. Writing and telling stories is important everywhere, especially in literature."
And there is more. Read the alumnimagazine idea, edition december 2023
“It is with great pleasure that I present the summer edition of our alumni magazine idea, a special edition in which scientists, PhD students, students and alumni present teaching and research activities of our faculty.”
Read the foreword by Mira Maletic, Managing Director of the Faculty of Humanities
INTERVIEW
Afelonne Doek studied History at VU Amsterdam and is general state archivist and general director of the National Archives in The Hague. "As a general state archivist, I stand for the right to government information for every citizen. Everything in the archives can be viewed under certain conditions. Almost nothing is secret." Read the interview with Afelonne Doek
COLUMN
Interpreters of time. “A good analysis guides the reader in knowledge and understanding, and is stimulating, insightful and enriching for both supporters and opponents of your idea. In providing context and reflection for interpreting time, my perspective on the past, present, and future isn't the only right one — and it doesn't have to be.” Read the column by Philosophy, Bioethics and Health alumna Shanti Bolt
CONTEXT
Parallel to the wave of globalisation in the nineties, a similar movement emerged among historians to systematically interpret cross-border trends. What if you look at historical questions not within the framework of the nation, but across borders? Professor and historian Pál Nyíri likes to look at issues from an interdisciplinary perspective. Several examples of his approach are discussed in the interview
WEEK IN PICTURES
Mojdeh Feili is alumna English Literature in a Visual Culture, works as a programme producer, reviewer and writer, but is actually mainly a feminist who never walks around without a book in her bag and likes to give her opinion. In 9 images she shows her work week
There's more. Read alumni magazine idea, edition June 2023
“With pride, we present the new alumni magazine of the Faculty of Humanities – idea. The word is borrowed from Plato and refers to the whole range of meanings that Plato's notion of 'idea' has acquired over time. Just as our education and research always seek to connect with the social reality of today's world.” Read the foreword by Susan Legêne, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities
INTERVIEW
Frédérique ter Brugge studied Art and Architectural History and is director of the Amsterdam Light Festival. “We take visitors out of the everyday, out of their familiar thinking patterns. Open your mind and let your imagination soar!” Read the interview with Frédérique ter Brugge
COLUMN
No) idea. “Philosophising is a practice. Ideally, even an art form. The idea/de idee and the idea/het idee can both be material. Mixed media. As long as you thoroughly know the materials and the craft and want to get to know them better. Also – or precisely – outside working hours, lecture hall, study room. The opposite of non-committal musing and brainstorming and not focused on success.” Read the column by Philosophy alumna Désanne van Brederode, writer, philosopher and essayist
CONTEXT
His room is littered with books, photographs and archival documents. Shortly before this interview, he got his hands on some old pieces from alumni from the 50s. University historian Ab Flipse is, in short, the right person to talk about where the Faculty of Humanities came from and where we are going. Read the article about the history of the Faculty of Humanities
WEEK IN PICTURES
Guido Scholten (1994) is an alumnus of MKDA and a scientific trainee at the Liberna Collection (Draiflessen Collection in Mettingen, Germany). The Liberna Collection, built up by Bernard Brenninkmeijer (1893-1976), contains a beautiful collection of manuscripts, incunabula, printed books, prints, drawings and paintings. In 9 images he shows his work week
There's more. Read the magazine idea, edition December 2022
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