Behaviour & Society

On the map, the Netherlands seems neatly outlined. A clear border separates us from Belgium and Germany. But how did that line come about? And is it really as fixed as we think?

Students are increasingly using AI to write texts, create summaries and even solve complex problems. What was still experimental just a few years ago has now become part of everyday education. But this raises a fundamental question: what should students still be able to do themselves, and what do we leave to AI?

Why do so many residents of Enschede not vote in municipal elections? The short answer: because inequality, distrust and everyday pressures together create a barrier that is far higher than what a single election day can overcome. In a conversation with political scientist Floris Vermeulen, a complex (but not hopeless) story unfolds. “Low turnout is not a lack of interest in politics. It is often a rational response to years of lived experience.”

A partner who always listens, never gets angry and does exactly what you want. What does that mean for how we think about intimacy? PhD researcher Maaike van der Horst investigates at the University of Twente how sex robots and digital AI partners are changing our ideas about relationships, desire and vulnerability.

As AI tools become inseparable from student essays, scientific writing, and data analysis, universities across the globe are scrambling to decide what counts as “ethical use.” Some draw the line at letting tools such as ChatGPT write for you; others simply ask that you be transparent and honest.

Breathing. You’ve been doing it since birth, so what could possibly go wrong? Quite a lot, according to research by respiratory physiologist Frans de Jongh from the University of Twente. In fact, millions of people breathe incorrectly, often without realising it.

When we talk about artificial intelligence, we often think of data, algorithms and efficiency. But what if we approached technology not just as something functional, but as something deeply human? Something that doesn’t replace us, but connects us?

Election programmes, debates, news, and campaigns. Almost everything related to elections now takes place online. But not everyone has equal access to that digital world. What does this mean for our democracy?

We Google everything: the FC Twente match schedule, the release date of GTA 6, or a recipe for pasta carbonara. And as the elections draw nearer, we also look up party manifestos, voting guides and fact checks of campaign promises. Our search for information usually begins with a search engine. But what if that very search behaviour fuels division instead of understanding?

It’s a thought that crosses many people’s minds as elections draw closer. The idea of tactical voting keeps resurfacing in conversations, campaigns and talk shows. Can your vote really influence the outcome? And is there such a thing as a mathematically ‘best choice’?

Migration. Every election year, it returns as one of the most discussed topics in the Netherlands. But why do people migrate in the first place? And to what extent is it even possible for the government to “gain more control” over migration?

We do almost everything online these days, from banking and grocery shopping to booking holidays. So why do we still vote with paper and pencil? In the Election Questions 2026 series, UT researchers explore how science helps us understand the dilemmas voters face. This time, we spoke with Roland van Rijswijk-Deij, full professor of Data-Driven Internet Security, about one key question: why haven’t we gone digital at the ballot box?

More and more people are turning to chatbots for answers. Fast, convenient, and sometimes even with ready-made advice. But how wise is it to ask ChatGPT for guidance on what you should vote for on October 29 in the Dutch parliamentary elections? And if you do want to use it, what’s the best way to go about it? I asked Maurice van Keulen, adjunct professor of Data Science at the University of Twente.

Ever feel like your friends know more people than you do? Don’t worry – it’s not a personal flaw. It’s a mathematical phenomenon known as the friendship paradox. On average, your friends have more friends than you. In this video from the Universiteit van Nederland, mathematician Clara Stegehuis from the University of Twente explains how this paradox works and why it matters.

Health tips, lifestyle advice and self-help books abound. But UT researcher Dr Femke Nijboer decided to turn it around: how to destroy your health as quickly as possible.

Wars, political divisions, concerns about climate change, and worries about the future: the world often feels unstable. But how do you deal with that? According to Professor Ernst Bohlmeijer, professor of psychology at the University of Twente, the answer lies in hope. Not blind optimism that says “everything will be fine”, but an attitude that helps you find direction, even when the outcome is unknown.

Losing everything in a matter of hours. Your house underwater, no safe place to go. For millions of people around the world, this is not an exception but a reality that happens more often than we think. Even in Europe, disasters are becoming more frequent, and it is becoming increasingly clear how vulnerable our homes are.

Spending just a short, conscious time in nature can boost your mental wellbeing, say researchers at the University of Twente. Their study shows that mindfulness-based exercises in nature positively impact spiritual health and emotional resilience. Combining nature and mindfulness proves especially effective in fostering peace, calmness, and a deep sense of connection to the world around us. PhD researcher Xingjian Ruan, originally from China, is part of this study within the Department of Psychology.

Francesca Toso, Assistant Professor in Human-Centred Design within the HCD Group at the University of Twente, is investigating whether technology can support people with dementia and their loved ones in coming to terms with the diagnosis, preparing for death, and dealing with bereavement. The University’s Technical Medical Centre (TechMed Centre) plays a key facilitating role in her research.

The Gisèle Pelicot case, the new Netflix series Adolescence, and the harmful effects of misogynistic influencers like Andrew Tate – violence against women is getting more traction in traditional media than ever before. Sadly, though, this increased awareness does not automatically translate into progress; globally, almost one in three women has experienced physical and/or sexual violence at least once in their lives*. That’s why, as part of their project, Communication Science students Carly, Ioanna, Leonie, and Nancy dove into the complex problem of violence against women in modern society.

Imagine this: you’re scrolling through TikTok, watching a few videos, and before you know it, you're caught in an endless stream of clips featuring men who claim to reveal how the world really works. Men who present themselves as strong and successful, surrounded by luxury cars, cigars, and bold opinions. For a moment, it might feel like they truly understand you. Like they’re offering a truth the rest of the world refuses to see. That’s the appeal of the manosphere: an online subculture where traditional ideas about masculinity, power, and women are repackaged into flashy, persuasive content.

What happens when you let someone with no experience drive a rolling machine? In this episode of Kees Study, Kees explores how people learn new skills with technology.

You are young, struggling with your identity, and feel misunderstood by those around you. When you finally take the step to seek help, you find yourself on a two-year waiting list. In the meantime? Little to no support. For many LGBTQ young people, this is not a fictional scenario, but the harsh reality. The healthcare system is stuck: GPs are at a loss and psychological care is overloaded. But what if digital technology can play a role in this?

Babies drink milk, which often comes from the mother's breast. This breastfeeding is important for babies and mothers, but what do we actually know about it? Too little, according to adjunct professor Nienke Bosschaart at the University of Twente. That is why she develops new innovations to be able to look better into the breast.

We all face loss at some point in our lives. For some people, the grief becomes increasingly bearable, but others struggle with their grief for years. That is why researcher Lonneke Lenferink is working on the mourning meter, a scientifically validated questionnaire that measures the severity of grief and thus keeps an eye on it.

Propaganda used to be distributed through leaflets or broadcast over the radio. Today, it reaches us with a click on our smartphones, and it is tailored to our preferences. The way we consume information has changed - and with it, the way we form our beliefs about political and social institutions. Assistant professor Adam Heschke is worried about what comes next.

There is no way around it: gaming is the largest entertainment industry in the world. Ask any concerned parent what they think of digital games, though, and the answers paint a picture of addictive, isolating, and violent time-wasters. How could such horrible things draw in billions of players?

Traditionally, games for the visually impaired include mostly playing cards with braille – fun, but not nearly as immersive and engaging as a game can be. That’s what Industrial Design Engineering students Jonathan, Kara, Leire, Martina, Marcello and Nuria thought when they first started developing BRIGHT, an inclusive collaboration and communication game. Now, about one and a half years later, they have presented their game at Dutch Design Week 2024.

When people recover from a stroke, they often start by doing exercises in a clinic. But once they go home, they need to keep exercising to keep their hands and wrists functional. These exercises can feel boring and hard to stick to. Many people skip the recommended 30 minutes of daily exercises, which slows down or reverses their recovery. But what if brushing your teeth or drinking your morning coffee could help you get better?

Most people know that spending too much time on your phone can negatively affect your mental health. Yet here we are – often chronically online and spending most of our (free) time on screens, with all its consequences. That’s why student Creative Technology Nina and her project group decided to create an interactive installation for people to reflect on their screen time and happiness. In this article, she talks all about their work and its importance in today’s society.

In any project using images acquired by satellite sensors or from drones, you will frequently display images to look at. Before even diving into technical issues that have an effect on the display, let’s first focus on what we think we have in common and under control: our own visual system.

Mass evictions, daily power outages, and pitch-black streets at night: the challenges that people in the Global South face remain largely overlooked. How can satellite imagery uncover the hidden realities of urbanisation? Prof. Dr. Monika Kuffer’s research strives to spotlight urban inequalities and prompt policymakers to take action.

Unsustainable development leads to resource scarcity and endangers our future. The traditional take-make-use-dispose in linear economy causes pressure on supply chains. The only way forward according to Devrim Yazan? A sustainable circular economy. But how do you educate students about the complexity of this sustainability approach?

Imagine a date between two researchers from completely different research fields, what would happen? In this video, researchers Anne Dijkstra and Douwe Dresscher meet, each with their own unique field of research. Is it a match?

Most of us have done it, walking through familiar streets or looking at your own house with a street view service. Now imagine doing this with a complete virtual replica. Every street, every car, every person walking to their work is meticulously simulated. This is a city digital twin. Discover how researchers at the Digital Twin Geohub of the University of Twente are transforming urban planning – one virtual city at a time.

We live in a world where almost everyone is online. The internet is a near-endless source of information, a space where we keep in contact with loved ones and where we work and consume. But what if you do not have access to the internet, because of a lack of motivation, skills, or don’t have a computer? Digital inequality increases the social gap between people and can even lead to exclusion. Alexander van Deursen, professor of communication science at the University of Twente, is investigating how digital inequality arises and how we can combat it.

By 2050, nearly 70% of the world's population will live in cities. Urban planning decisions made today have a critical impact on the future, which means there is less room for trial and error. How can we address the increase in urban populations and make future cities more sustainable?

Smartwatches that map loneliness among students with specific needs, such as autism. Thanks to UT professor Carolien Rieffe and her team, this will soon be a reality. Carolien received a substantial sum of money from science financier NWO for the Building 4 Belonging project.

In a world where technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are developing rapidly, the question arises: will AI be our next teacher? Imagine lecture halls filled with chatbots, robots and holograms giving lectures. Sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, right? Yet this scenario is less far-fetched than it seems, given the speed at which AI is developing. But according to Kim Schildkamp, professor at the University of Twente's ELAN teacher training programme, these technologies will never completely replace our teachers because human relationships are far too important in the classroom.

Explore the future in our podcast series, "My Future Dream Job," where Anic van Damme guides you to the year 2030. Our scientists explore prospective careers in cybersecurity, climate adaptation, and energy transition. Listen in to gain insights into the professions taking shape at the University of Twente.

Explore the future in our podcast series, "My Future Dream Job," where Anic van Damme guides you to the year 2030. Our scientists explore prospective careers in cybersecurity, climate adaptation, and energy transition. Listen in to gain insights into the professions taking shape at the University of Twente.

The labour market is under pressure. From the busy airports of Schiphol to the hectic hospital corridors, there's a huge shortage of staff everywhere. Perhaps you've already noticed the effects yourself. Restaurants operate with fewer staff, leading to longer waiting times for your food. Classrooms are fuller due to the lack of teachers or masters. And your parcels? Those take longer to arrive because of understaffed delivery services. Even buses and trains are less frequent on the roads and tracks.