{"id":182427,"date":"2025-10-09T14:09:11","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T12:09:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=182427"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:27:56","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:27:56","slug":"door-weer-en-wind-vertellen-wetenschappers-in-het-park-over-hun-onderzoek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2025\/10\/09\/door-weer-en-wind-vertellen-wetenschappers-in-het-park-over-hun-onderzoek\/","title":{"rendered":"Come rain or shine, scientists tell visitors about their research in Het Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Park Pavilion and the Norwegian Seamen’s Church were the scene for lectures by scientists this rainy weekend, including on health, climate change and disinformation. “Did any of you ever search your symptoms online?”<\/p>\n

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Not all seats are taken at the first lecture of Wetenschappers In Het park.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDaan Stam<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Tea is ready on a small table, and outside visitors can get coffee. Given the weather, both hot drinks come in useful. With the wind blowing constantly and the rain falling intermittently, it is clear that it is autumn.<\/p>\n

Science in the Park was this weekend entirely focused on climate change, pollution and health. Academics from Erasmus MC and TU Delft gave lectures and walks on the theme \u2018Healthy on Planet 010\u2019 on Saturday and Sunday in Het Park by the Euromast.<\/p>\n

Six people and a dog<\/h2>
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This dog was one of the attendees during Mellisa Sebastampillai's lecture.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDaan Stam<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

Most seats remain empty at 10.00. Mellisa Sebastampillai\u2019s first presentation of a series of three draws an audience of six people \u2013 and a dog.<\/p>\n

The small four\u2011legged animal sits patiently next to its owner on the ground, waiting for the walk to continue. Apart from a soft squeak now and then and a cheerful wag of its tail, the animal gives little sign of its presence.<\/p>\n

Misinformation versus disinformation<\/h2>

Being not very busy causes the 23\u2011year\u2011old Sebastampillai little concern. \u201cThe fewer people there are, the more direct the conversation you can have\u201d, she says with a shrug. A small group of people does not mean it stays quiet. Her presentation, \u2018Doctors against disinformation\u2019, is a lively affair, with one question after another.<\/p>\n

Sebastampillai begins her talk with a question to the audience: \u201cDid any of you ever search your symptoms online?\u201d The answer from the audience is a resounding \u2018yes\u2019. \u201cSomewhere it is good that there is so much information to be found on the internet\u201d, she continues, \u201cbut there are also downsides. Especially for people without a medical background.\u201d<\/p>\n

She explains that there is a clear difference between misinformation and disinformation. \u201cMisinformation is information that is incorrect but is not spread on purpose, because the person spreading it themselves does not know the information is wrong. The spread of disinformation is deliberately caused, like the rumours about the corona jab.\u201d<\/p>\n

Norwegian Church<\/h2>
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Ada le Pair has been a volunteer at the Norwegian Church for years.<\/span><\/p>

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Not all presentations are held in the Park Pavilion. The Norwegian Seamen\u2019s Church, by the entrance to Het Park, is also used to welcome visitors and speakers. Because, as Ada le Pair cheerfully states: \u201cEveryone is welcome in the Norwegian Church.\u201d<\/p>\n

Le Pair, who has been a volunteer at the church for twenty years, stands behind the counter. In a cupboard behind her various Norwegian products are displayed. Passers\u2011by are warmly welcomed with an enthusiastic story about the history of the Norwegian Church and the products they sell.<\/p>\n

Climate change and health<\/h2>
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Sophie Korenhof talks in her lecture about the effect of climate change on health.<\/span><\/p>

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The 37\u2011year\u2011old Sophie Korenhof also speaks to a small group of six listeners. \u201cThe weather will not help\u201d, she muses.<\/p>\n

\u2018Greening healthcare\u2019 is the theme of Korenhof\u2019s presentation. The link between climate problems and possible improvements in healthcare may seem far\u2011fetched, but Korenhof explains that they are closely intertwined: \u201cClimate change and health have a lot to do with each other, especially when we look at the effect of climate change on health. When warm periods last longer, plants that produce pollen often flower for a longer time. People with hay fever can then suffer from that pollen for a longer period.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to do something\u201d, she tells the audience in a clear voice, \u201cbut we can also do something.\u201d The rest of her presentation deals with possible ways to green healthcare, such as more digital care, so that not every patient has to visit the care provider in person each time. This can help prevent a large part of greenhouse gas emissions.<\/p>\n\n\t

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