science Behaviour & SocietyWhy borders are less fixed than you thinkOn 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?
science Behaviour & SocietyWhat ethical AI in research really meansAs 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.
science Behaviour & SocietyHow can we make AI more humane and inclusive?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?
science Behaviour & SocietyElection questions: Can you vote tactically?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’?
science Behaviour & SocietyThe manosphere unmasked: How online cultures entangle young people in extreme ideasImagine 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.
science Behaviour & SocietyHow Big Tech is weaponising public opinionPropaganda 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.
science Behaviour & SocietyFive reasons why playing games is actually good for youThere 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?
science HealthTurning everyday objects into tools for recoveryWhen 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?
science Data & AI'Wie is de Mol?' through the eyes of a statisticianThere are many ways to predict the mole. Mole spotters often talk about body language, intrigue, granted screen time or social behaviour. Nice, vague and exciting, of course, and good for a heated discussion but could it be more exact? What about mathematics, can it help us here too?
student BachelorDoes screen time impact your lifestyle and health? Creative Technology students show you how!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.
science Data & AIWhy do you not see what I see?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.
science Data & AIHow satellites expose urban inequalities in the Global SouthMass 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.
science Behaviour & SocietyHow a Serious Game is Shaping Future LeadersUnsustainable 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?
science RoboticsScience Date - Science communication and robotsImagine 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?
science Data & AICities are cloned in the virtual world to transform urban planningBy 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?
science PodcastPodcast #3: The competence brokerExplore 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.
science PodcastPodcast #1: The human-machine interaction expertExplore 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.