On Monday, 6 January, the University's annual New Year's Meeting took place, during which the UT Media Awards were presented. This tradition provides a special moment to recognize the contributions of staff and researchers to media and social discussions.
The first award was presented to Prof. Dr. R. René Torenvlied, professor at the University. He received the award for his contribution to the public debate on fireworks storage, following his report exposing the potential dangers of fireworks storage in residential areas. Torenvlied highlighted that up to 10,000 kilograms of fireworks are stored in more than 400 residential neighborhoods in the Netherlands, which he said is “400 times very dangerous.”
His findings were widely discussed in the media, including a contribution on the popular program Een Vandaag, where Torenvlied shared his concerns about the safety risks of fireworks storage. The report contributed to a broad public debate about the desirability and risks of storing fireworks in residential areas. Torenvlied is regularly asked to share his expertise and explain the findings of his research in this public debate.
The presentation of the UT Media Awards is not only a recognition of academic research, but also of the important role the University plays in promoting socially relevant discussions. Prof. Dr. R. René Torenvlied's work is a clear example of this, and his contribution to the fireworks debate has significantly raised awareness of the issue.
