VUB launches podcast on sustainability: Scientists With A Cause

Behind the scenes at the VUB labs

In Scientists With A Cause, listeners will discover the contribution of VUB scientists to the SDGs, the 17 goals set by the UN to steer our planet and its inhabitants towards sustainability and away from poverty and climate change.

How do our scientists go about this and what happens behind the walls of VUB? The researchers themselves speak about their work, their vision, the solutions they are pursuing and why it matters for our future.

Karin Vanderkerken, vice-rector for Research Policy: “VUB scientists work extremely hard on their research assignments. For years on end, they immerse themselves in a social issue. In this podcast series, they speak with passion about their area of expertise. We hope that this can inspire young and not-so-young people about science, but even more about the importance and urgency of the Sustainable Development Goals.”

With the approval of Luc Haekens

The series was made with The Podcast Planet, the production house of broadcaster Luc Haekens. As a podcast expert and reporter, he knows better than anyone how to enthuse a broad audience and was eager to get involved in making the work of scientists relevant to Flemish listeners.

Haekens: “Podcasts open up a new world, and nothing is as fascinating as the wonderful world of science. Without images you see so much more.”

10 episodes

The first four episodes have already been launched, and there will be a new one launched every fortnight from May. Some episodes are in Dutch and some in English. You can subscribe here.

    How sustainable is Vinted?

    What do exhumed bones tell us about our ancestors? (in English)

    Are humans giving way to robots? (in English)

    Why are Denmark and Norway exchanging renewable energy?

    Released on 9 May - Sustainable oceans

    Released on 23 May - Global warming

    Released on 6 June - Clean water

    Released on 20 June - Peace and justice

    Released on 4 July - Sustainable consumption and production

    Released on 18 July - Food security

^{The World Needs You}

^{The podcast series is part of the VUB project The World Needs You, inspired by the UN’s SDGs. It focuses on six Ps: People, Peace, Prosperity, Planet, Partnership and Poincaré. The P of Poincaré refers to the French philosopher Henri Poincaré from whom VUB derives the principle of free research on which its scientists pursue the SDGs. Initiatives are organised around each P, started and developed by and for our students, researchers and staff.}