Accie in Action, a Trip to Leiden

A PhD journey does not only consist of research, but also of learning. Lots and lots of learning! Learning can take many shapes and forms, such as visiting other research institutes. This is exactly what a group of PhD candidates from WIAS recently did.

On June 2^nd, Accie from WAPS organized a visit to Naturalis and the Hortus Botanicus in Leiden. It was a full day of not work related, but scientific driven activities. The day started with a visit to the Naturalis Biodiversity Centre. Naturalis is the national research institute for biodiversity in the Netherlands. Naturalis has one of the most extensive collections of specimens in the world, and the museum compartment is a truly spectacular example of the collection and knowledge produced in the centre. We went through a journey of discovery of the natural world, starting with life, from the ice age, dinosaurs, to early humans, learning about evolution, Earth phenomena, seduction, finishing with death. It was a rich and beautiful exhibition. Also, we had a very interesting talk by one of the researchers at the centre, Dr. Alexandra van der Geer, a palaeontologist with a fascinating back story, who specialises in the evolution of island mammals. Alexandra told us a bit about the research done at Naturalis, and about her own work.

Since the weather was on our side, we continued our journey through Leiden to the Hortus Botanicus, the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands, which belongs to Leiden University. We enjoyed a nice walk through the greenhouses, with tropical plants and the outdoor gardens with more familiar greenery and flowers. It was an excellent way to end a day out with fellow PhDs, not researching, but in constant learning.

Accie was happy that so many students joined the activity; this day wouldn’t have been the same without you! Accie also invites all PhDs to keep an eye out for more activities to come!