This was 2018

Civil rights emerged (somewhat) victorious over unbridled technological optimism. Society revolted against ridiculously expensive medications. The crypto hype changed into crypto disillusionment. And it was also the year in which cross-border collaboration came under the gun.

We also interviewed seven researchers and students. They all stood out, all for different reasons. One of them criticizes the diversity policy of the EUR, the other criticizes the whole society, but they all do something that gives them energy and they are all full of ambition.

Year-end articles

Together with EUR-affiliated academics, we review the year that was 2018.

Part 1: the year in which society revolted against ridiculously expensive medications.

Part 2: the year in which civil rights emerged (somewhat) victorious over unbridled technological optimism.

Part 3: the year when the crypto hype changed into crypto disillusionment.

Part 4: the year in which cross-border collaboration came under the gun.

Do you remember what happened at Erasmus University in 2018? Test your knowledge in this quiz.

Year-end interviews

For ‘salt professor’ Ewout Hoorn, 2018 was the year in which he gave his inaugural lecture, was awarded major research grants and fought a valiant battle against salt. “As a scientist, you absolutely have to be ambitious.”

What if it isn’t the gross national product that indicates how prosperous an area is, but the drinkability of a local river? That is the dream of Li An Phoa, teacher at the Rotterdam School of Management.

Lukas Ries had never even heard of techno before moving to Rotterdam. In 2018, the Economics student became one of the newest faces in the city’s underground electronic music, performing at Blijdorp Winter Festival and even a party in the capital of Azerbaijan.

Nizar El Manouzi is an incredibly multi-talented individual. He’s studying Medicine and Philosophy, he launched a diversity working group at Erasmus MC this year, and he became a member of the University Council. If that wasn’t enough, he also made his acting debut this year in the Dutch feature film Catacombe.

Already at the elementary school they called Renske Keizer ‘little professor’ and this year she became a full-time professor. “My tip for young researchers: always ask a question at a meeting.”

Welmer de Groot is a medical student, conducted research on diversity in the armed forces as a reservist and was named chairman of Erasmus Pride this year. A conversation about being gay in a Christian community, being deployed to Afghanistan and his views on an inclusive university.

Inspired by volunteering work in a Greek refugee camp, EUC student Nabeel Khan came up with his own project to help out refugees this year. Together with his teammates from Happy Container, he is about to create a community center from scratch in the camp of Thermopylae.