Free thinking cannot be taken for granted. Especially at a time when restrictive thinking is increasingly gaining ground. During this opening of the new academic year, we explored the importance of freedom, imagination and responsibility, as well as the willingness to remain in dialogue with one another. Because only then can free thinking continue to flourish.

Roxane van Iperen, lawyer and author, addressed in her keynote the question of how we can continue to think freely in an age of Big Tech and authoritarian world leaders. We live in a world in which we no longer believe what we see, but see what we believe. How should we navigate this?

Nikki Sterkenburg, Endowed Professor of Investigative Journalism, then showed that freedom only has meaning when we take responsibility for how knowledge is created, scrutinised and shared. This was followed by Sandjai Bhulai, Professor of Business Analytics, who demonstrated that imagination is essential for opening up new perspectives and using technology responsibly.

The Vocal Group of VU Griffioen provided a musical interlude.

Looking back

• Watch the recording of the livestream of this Opening Academic Year (the opening by President of the Executive Board Margrethe Jonkman starts at 21:00 minutes)
• View the photo album of the event

Looking for more?

• On October 8, you are warmly invited to the Studium Generale event 'The Future of Freedom'. This event offers deeper insights and dialogue following the Opening Academic Year.
• At VU Griffioen on the VU Campus, you will find various courses and performances this year that align with Free Thinkers, VU's annual theme.