Event
Popping the Academic Bubble: Expertise Meets Experience
- Date
- Thursday 8 October 2026
- Time
- Address
- Agora
Wassenaarseweg 52
2333 AK Leiden - Room
- Sociaal Café
Universities generate knowledge. But how often does that knowledge truly connect to everyday life?
In this Community. Conversation. Connection. session, hosted by Young Academy Leiden, we explore the relationship between academic expertise and lived experience. While initiatives like Academia in Motion often focus on themes such as recognition and rewards and open science, this session highlights something just as important: how universities engage with society.
Programme
• Welcome and introduction by Elizabeth Buimer and Julie Hall, organisers of this event and members of the Young Academy Leiden.
• Opening by Sarah de Rijcke.
• Presentation by Anchrit Wille, Professor of Transitions in the Public Sector and co-author of Diplomademocratie, exploring how educational divides shape political representation and democratic governance.
• Presentation by Quin Blokzijl, Activist advocating for stronger representation of practically educated citizens in decision-making. As the first MBO intern at the European Parliament and now working as a refuse collector and public speaker, he brings a grounded perspective on inclusion.
• Presentation by Quita Muis, Assistant Professor of Polarization, values and identities, focusing on how perceived educational divides influence social cohesion and democratic attitudes.
• Presentation by Marieke Adriaanse, Hoogleraar Gedragsinterventies in de Volksgezondheid en ambassadeur voor Erkennen en Waarderen.
• Paneldiscussion and Q&A
• 16.30 hours - drinks
Community. Conversation. Connection.
This edition of Community. Conversation. Connection. is organised by Young Academy Leiden (YAL). YAL brings together early-career academics and amplifies their voice within the university. Through its focus on interdisciplinarity, policy, and strengthening the connection between academia and society, YAL works to help shape the future of academia.
The Community. Conversation. Connection. series was established by Leiden University to make room for lectures, debates and meetings about today’s hot-button issues: war and peace, intolerance, human rights, polarisation, securitisation, climate and more.
Let’s get together and listen to each other. Let’s hold an open debate. This is, after all, the beating heart of our university. It’s fine to disagree, as long as we treat others and their views or beliefs with respect.
All members of the university community are warmly invited to take part in Community. Conversation. Connection. You’re welcome to sign up for an event – or to organise your own. Keep an eye on our events calendar!