In a Nutshell

Why do young people want to read more than they actually do? Why does it sometimes require bravery to admit that one is a reader? And what makes reading literature so important for our development? In the 7th episode of In a Nutshell, Jara and her guest Jeroen Dera find answers to these questions. Together, they uncover the perks and pitfalls of BookTok, examine the connection between open-mindedness and reading, and investigate what keeps young people from reading.Jeroen is an associate professor of Dutch literature. In his research, he focuses on the reading culture of young people and on the role literature plays in education. Do you want to know more about this topic? Make sure to follow Jeroen’s recommendations and read “The Reading Lives of Teens”, edited by Chin Ee Loh, and “De lezende mens”, by Adriaan van der Weel and Ruud Hisgen.Edit: Jara MajerusCover: Antonia Leise

Why is producing more food not a solution to global hunger? What needs to happen for our food systems to become more sustainable? And what role does property play in all of this?In the new episode of In a Nutshell, host Jara explores food and the land on which it grows. Together with her guest, Adam Calo, she learns about growing populations, the myth of feeding the world, and soil as an underlying problem.Adam is an assistant professor of Environmental Governance and Politics. In his research, he examines how our land governance hinders our transition to a more sustainable, ecologically resilient, and just food system.Do you want to know more about food and sustainable food systems? Make sure to follow Adam’s recommendations and read the book Beginning to End Hunger by M. Jahi Chappell, listen to Adam’s very own podcast called Landscapes, or watch the documentary Food Chains directed by Sanjay Rawal.Edit: Jara MajerusCover: Antonia Leise

How was the AIDS epidemic translated into theatre plays? Why is the way we talk about illness important? And what does Susan Sontag have to do with all of thatIn this episode of In a Nutshell, Antonia and guest Dirk Visser take a look at the way theatre can – and has – tackled heavy topics like AIDS. And why it matters how a story is being told.Dirk Visser has conducted his PhD at the Faculty of Arts research investigates the theatrical response to the AIDS crisis in Britain and America, focusing particularly on those plays that did not enter the canon of English or American drama. His intend is thereby to restore those plays as part within the cultural memory of the AIDS epidemic.This episode is part of a two-part series on politics and theatre. Also tune in for the first episode, which explores the topic of political theatre in general.Edit: Jara MajerusCover: Antonia Leise

How political is theatre? What do plays have to do with Brexit? And how has theatre shaped (and commented on) political developments in the past?In this episode of In a Nutshell, Antonia and guest Ruud van den Beuken explore how political topics can be explored in theatre – and ask the question whether theatre is always the best way to address certain political issues, especially when it comes to class in Britain.Ruud van den Beuken is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Arts. His own theatre research has started with a course on Samuel Beckett and Irish theatre, which was also the topic of his PhD research. Amongst other things, Ruud is researching Brexit theatre, national identity formation (also through theatre) and postcolonial cultural memory.Would you like to learn more about the politics of theatre? Then follow Ruud’s advise and watch some theatre plays yourself. Including Sadettin Kirmiziyuz's Citzen K, available on the NPO streaming service.This episode is part of a two-part series on politics and theatre. Also tune in for the second episode, which explores AIDS theatre.Edit: Jara MajerusCover: Antonia Leise

Why should kids not choose where they sit in a classroom? How does where we sit affect our relationships and chances of success, both socially and academically?In the third episode of In a Nutshell, host Jara explores seating plans, distance, and proximity. Together with her guest, Yvonne van den Berg, she investigates why it matters where we sit and how we use distance to communicate our feelings.Yvonne is an assistant professor of developmental psychology. In her research, she investigates how proximity influences our social relationships, with a particular focus on the role that physical proximity plays in classroom social dynamics.Would you like to learn more about the importance of physical proximity? Make sure to follow Yvonne’s recommendations and read Relationships 5.0 by Elyakim Kislev, or check out the experiment mentioned by Yvonne on YouTube.  Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

Can we predict the future? How is identity shaped by the past? And how can history help with making sense of our present? In today’s episode, Antonia and guest Adriaan Duiveman go – quite literally – back to the future and talk about how a historian ends up studying a time that hasn’t even happened yet. And why being a “futurologist” is anything but straight-forward. Adriaan Duiveman is a postdoc at the Faculty of Arts, where he researches crises – and the stories citizens, authorities and opinion makers tell in and about them. Would you like to learn more about the future, the past and the present (or at least one way of looking at it)? Then Adriaan recommends the novel “Time Shelter” by Georgi Gospodinov. Edit: Jara MajerusCover: Antonia Leise

Can we overcome capitalism? What alternatives to communism exist? And what keeps us from imagining new economies?In the first episode of In a Nutshell’s third season, we delve into the challenges of capitalism. Together with this week’s guest, Querine Kommandeur, we discuss whether it is possible to exit capitalism and learn why it matters how we talk about economics.Querine is a PhD candidate at Radboud University. In her research, she focuses on alternative economic discourses. With her work, she aims to better understand how these discourses emerge and develop, and how they can lead totransformations.Do you want to delve deeper into alternative economics? Make sure to follow Querine’s recommendations and listen to the podcasts “Economics for Rebels” by Dr. Köves Alexandra, “Leven na de groei” by Just Enough, or “Ecosofie” by MarnixKluiters. And if you want to stick your nose into some books, check out “Doughnut Ecomics” by Kate Raworth, “Mission Economy” by Mariana Mazzucato, and “Less Is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World” by Jason Hickel.Edit: Jara MajerusCover: Antonia Leise

How advanced are robots? Why do we communicate differently with them than with humans? And why are cats, in the end, perhaps the better companions than robots? In today’s episode, Antonia talks with Lynn de Rijk about how we communicate with beings that aren’t human, or, differently put: how we communicate with cats and robots. And why that is sometimes anything but straight-forward. Lynn talks about her research at the cat café in Nijmegen and Amazon robots that have already ceased to exist before they even hit the consumer market.Lynn de Rijk is a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Arts and part of the Centre for Language Studies. They investigate how humans attribute meaning to non-verbal conduct – especially between humans and non-humans.Would you like to learn more about communication between humans, cats, robots and others? Then follow Lynn’s suggestion and have a look at the books Ways of Being by James Bridle and Animal Languages by Eva Meijer. Edit: Jara MajerusCover: Antonia Leise

Why has the European far-right become increasingly popular? How do they use religion to shape their anti-immigration discourses? And what role does TikTok play in all of this?In today’s episode, Jara investigates what is behind the anti-immigration discourse of the European far right. Together with her guest, Kirsten Smeets, she will explore how opponents are created, why religion still plays a role in secular societies, and what makes the far right seem like an emergency break. Kirsten completed her PhD at Radboud University in the Department of Philosophy, Ethics, and Political Philosophy, and is now a lecturer at Utrecht University in the field of religious studies. In her research, she examines religious contra-identities in the anti-immigration discourse of the European far right. Do you want to know more about this topic? Follow Kirsten’s tips and read “The Far Right Today” by Cas Mudde or listen to the podcast episode “Why I left Christianity and the Far Right” with Joram Van Klaveren.  Edit: Jara MajerusCover: Antonia Leise

What is behind a black hole? What do they look like? And how on Earth do you take a picture of one? In today’s episode, Jara faces one of her childhood fears, namely being sucked into the darkest mystery of the universe – the black hole. How likely is Earth to disappear behind the universe’s final curtain? What would that mean? And what actually is this dreaded black hole, to begin with? Luckily, her guest Heino Falcke has the answers. Heino is a Professor of Astroparticle Physics and Radio Astronomy at the Institute for Mathematics, Astronomy, and Particle Physics (IMAPP) of the Faculty of Science. Together with his team, Heino was the first one to take a picture of a black hole.If you want to learn more about black holes, follow Heino’s tip and read his book “Light in the Darkness: Black Holes, the Universe, and Us”. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

AI seems to have come to stay, but what does the future of artificial intelligence hold? And why is it perhaps one of the most penetrating technologies since the development of language?In the second part of the AI special, we take a look at the future of AI. Together with Pim Haselager, Antonia talks about how AI might change as a technology – and how humans will likely too. Will reading lose its importance? Can (and should) you generate ideas with the help of artificial intelligence? And how is AI changing the relationship we have to ourselves?Pim Haselager is a professor of artificial intelligence and a principal investigator at the Donder’s Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour.This episode is part of a two-part special on Artificial Intelligence. Make sure to also have a look at the first episode of the series about the past and present of AI – and the next Vox magazine on Artificial Intelligence, featuring an interview with Pim Haselager.

How do you persuade an audience? What is ethos, and why is it so important? And what connects ancient philosophers like Aristotle with modern politicians like Donald Trump?Rhetoric is the answer — at least to many of the questions that arise when taking a closer look at the workings of public discourse. Invented in antiquity, rhetoric still shapes our present and future, and is therefore placed in the spotlight in this episode of In a Nutshell. Together with her guest Bé Breij, Jara explores the power of rhetoric, its somewhat negative reputation, and how one can analyze the art of persuasion. Bé is a professor of Latin language and literature, a specialist in ancient rhetoric, and the founder of Peitho, the Radboud knowledge center for rhetoric and persuasion.Do you want to delve deeper into the world of rhetoric? Follow Bé's tip and read "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith, "Thank You for Arguing" by Jay Heinrichs, and/or "You Are Not Human: How Words Kill" by Simon Lancaster. And be sure to check out Peitho's website at https://www.ru.nl/en/departments/faculty-of-arts/peitho. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

Where did AI come from? How is it changing society? And why do we need a European approach to Artificial Intelligence?In today’s episode, we are tackling the most discussed topic in recent weeks: Artificial Intelligence. Whether people are remaking The Lord of the Rings entirely in the style of Studio Ghibli, power self-driving cars or ask ChatGPT to write their uni assignments, AI seems to be everywhere. But where did it come from? And how is it affecting society right now?Together with professor of Artificial Intelligence and principal investigator at the Donders Institute Pim Haselager, Antonia talks about the power and the dangers of AI, what human rights respecting AI can look like – and why universities have a more important role to play than they might think.This episode is part of a two-part special on Artificial Intelligence. Stay tuned for the second part, where we talk about the future of AI – and the next Vox magazine on Artificial Intelligence, featuring an interview with Pim Haselager.

What makes and breaks a good romantic relationship? Why can’t our relationships be perfect? And how can mindfulness help us make better connections? Ah, romantic relationships. They make us see the world through rose-colored glasses and let us feel thousands of butterflies in our tummies, don’t they? Yet, many people would likely agree that having a romantic relationship can be quite a challenge. So, how to do them right? In this episode of In a Nutshell, Jara explores the science behind romantic relationships. Her guest, Johan Karremans, offers intriguing insights into the world of interpersonal connections and explains how mindfulness can help us in our relationships with others.Johan is a Professor at the Behavioural Science Institute. In his research, he investigates what determines the failure and success of social relationships and what role mindfulness can play in our relationships. Do you want to know more about mindfulness and social relationships? Follow Johan’s tip and read “Buddha’s Brain” by Rick Hanson. And for those who want to start practicing mindfulness themselves, Johan suggests the meditation app “InsightTimer”. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

Why are we afraid of math? Can you make peace with the school subjects you hate? And how important are feelings and attitudes towards a subject when it comes to doing well? (Spoiler alert: very.)Everyone has that one subject in school (or at university) they don’t like – and in today’s episode, Antonia is tackling precisely that: the subjects we dislike and the disciplines we are bad in. Or, at least, feel like we are. Together with guest Sanne van der Ven, Antonia explores the interplay of cognition, emotions and school performance. And, more importantly, how to (at least somewhat) overcome it.Sanne van der Ven is an assistant professor at the Behavioural Science Institute (BSI). She explores children’s differences in subjects like mathematics, reading and spelling and how cognition and emotions can factor into school performance.Would you like to learn more about math anxiety and the science behind it? Then follow Sanne’s advise and have a take at this YouTube documentary about dyscalculia (in Dutch).We are now on Instagram!Do you want to discover interesting research topics? And have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of a podcast? You can now follow us on the official In a Nutshell Instagram account (@inanutshell.podcast).Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

What will a peak behind the governments’ screens show us? What do we need to know about digital governments? And how does digitalization change public values? Digitalization is not just technical – this is the key message of this week’s episode, in which Jara learns about the world of digital governments. Together with her guest Noortje Hoevens, she discusses the political and social aspects of digitalization and investigates how digitalization causes a shift in values – from intrinsic to IT values. Noortje is a PhD candidate at Radboud University. She investigates the relationship between digitalization and public values in Dutch public agencies.Do you want to learn more about the pitfalls of digitalization? Then, follow Noortje’s advice and watch the documentary “The Social Dilemma.” Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

What are the things we don’t remember when we remember 9/11? Why is commemorating 9/11 still a heatedly discussed topic, even more than 20 years later? And where did theruins of the Twin Towers actually go?“Where were you when the planes hit the towers?” Is probably one of the most asked questions of the 21st century. In this week’s episode, Antonia takes a closer look at the aftermath of the terrorist attack. Together with guest László Munteán, she discusses mourning the dead after the attacks, how a significant amount of the towers’ steel ended up in China – and what three ships have to do with all of that.László Munteán is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Arts. His research focusses on the emorialization – and especially materiality – of 9/11. He is the coordinator of the RICH research group Memory, Materiality and Affect.Would you like to start learning more about the material culture surrounding the terrorist attacks? Then follow László’s suggestion and read Jay D. Aronson’s book Who Owns the Dead? The Science and Politics of Death at Ground Zero.Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

Why do we have prejudices? How are they created? And how do prejudices influence how we see and interact with people around us? In this new episode of In a Nutshell, Jara learns that stereotypes are not only bad. With her guest, Gijs Bijlstra, she embarks on a journey to understand the power of prejudices, what we can use them for, and when we need to overcome them. Gijs is an Associate Professor and social psychologist. He works at the Behavioural Science Institute. Gijs is interested in how stereotypes and prejudice influence our perceptions and behaviors. Do you want to know more about prejudices and their influence on our perceptions? Follow Gijs’ tips and check out the podcast “Opinion Science” by Andy Luttrell. You can also read the book “Blindspot” by Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald and watch the movie “Green Book." If you like what we do with this podcast, follow us on Instagram @inanutshell.podcast. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

Sex should be about having fun and pornography usually gets it wrong – at least according to Maerten Prins, long-time lecturer of the popular course Psychology of Sexuality. In today’s episode of In a Nutshell, Antonia and Maerten talk about why the Netherlands might have the best sex education in the world but still falls short for many students. But what makes for good sex – and good sex education – in the first place? How has the way we talk about sex changed over the last decades? And why should we all masturbate more? Maerten Prins is a cultural psychologist and lecturer in the Psychology department. His course Psychology of Sexuality is attended by more than 700 students every year and covers everything from coitus to consent, including Maerten’s favourite topic: pornography, which encompasses a whole range of things that need to be talked about when talking about sex. To learn more about sex, follow Maerten’s tips and have a look at Justin Lehmiller’s book The Psychology of Human Sexuality, Lehmiller’s website and his Sex and Psychology Podcast. For Dutch readers, Maerten recommends the books De waarheid over seks: plezier en gendergelijkheid op planeet Aarde by Laan and van Lunsen and Seks!: een leven lang leren by van Lunsen en Laan. And for English readers, Emily Nagoski’s book Come As You Are. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

How can sports be inclusive and exclusive at the same time? What can baseball tell us about Dutch colonialism? And how can sports be a means of identification? In the first episode of 2025, Jara investigates the intersection of baseball and politics. Together with her guest Jan Bant, she explores notions of identity, belonging, and exclusion by taking a close look at what happens on the ball field.  Jan is a PhD candidate at the Department of History, Art History and Classics. He is interested in the past and present of colonialism, the Caribbean, and Transatlantic relations. For his PhD, he analyses baseball's role in Caribbean communities in the Netherlands and the Caribbean communities since 1950. Do you want to know more about how baseball can teach us about colonialism, belonging and identity? Follow Jan’s tips and watch the documentary series "Homerun Curaçao" and the documentary "Boys of Summer". Or read "Honkbalgoud" by Maarten Kolsloot and Wesley Meijer.   Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

How prominent is the male gaze in music reviews? Why are there no guilty pleasure songs? And how authentic can artists in an industry like the music industry really be? In this episode, Antonia delves into the world of music, more specifically, music reviews. Together with her guest, Alex van der Hulst, she explores the shift from rockism to popism, asks whether we can separate artists from their art, and remembers iconic and extremely inauthentic pop groups (yes, it’s Milli Vanilli and Boney M.). Alex van der Hulst is a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Arts, where he researches popular music. His research focuses on how music reviews have shaped popular music and how they were shaped by it. Next to doing research, Alex also works as a journalist and is a writer of music reviews himself.   If you want to know more about music reviews and popular music, make sure to follow Alex’s suggestion and read or watch High Fidelity. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

Do we need to treat nature differently? How can philosophy help us do so? And what makes documentaries about cats a good starting point? In this week’s episode, Jara explores nature. More specifically, she investigates how humans relate to nature, why we like to see ourselves as separate from it, and why we treat nature the way we do. As always, she does so with an expert guest. For this episode, Marjolein Oele joins the podcast to offer insights and explanations on why humans and nature might not be so different after all. Marjolein is a professor in the Humanities at the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology, and Religion at Radboud University. One of her many interests is environmental philosophy, which examines the natural environment and the place humans occupy within it. If you want to follow this train of thought and explore the human-nature relationship further, take Marjolein’s advice and watch the documentary Inside the Mind of a Cat.

Poison, medicine or magic potion? Drugs can probably be all of that. But what makes a drug legal or illegal? Or rather: who decides on that?  “Who will ever relate the whole history of narcotics? It is almost the history of ‘culture’,” wrote Friedrich Nietzsche more than a hundred years ago – and he might be onto something. In today’s episode, Antonia and this week’s guest, Brigitte Adriaensen, talk about how drugs have been perceived throughout time and why colonialism wasn’t only built on the drug trade but continues to influence how we view substances like cocaine.  Brigitte Adriaensen is a professor of Hispanic Literature and Culture. For her VICI project ‘Poison, Medicine or Magic Potion’, she and her team research the perception of peyote, ayahuasca and coca across time. Would you like to learn more about the history of drugs? Then follow Brigitte’s recommendations and watch the movie Embrace of the Serpent (2015), visit the website Microcosms: A Homage to Sacred Plants of the Americas or read the book One River by Canadian anthropologist Wade Davis.

What makes scrolling on our phones dangerous? What does our scrolling have to do with digital surveillance? And who is surveilling whom, and for what reason? In this episode, Jara explores the unsettling world of digital surveillance. Together with this week’s guest, Guilel Treiber, she uncovers who the surveillers of the digital world are and peeks behind the curtains of their sleek self-staging to reveal their hidden desires. Yes, this episode will probably make you feel a strong urge to throw your phone away. But luckily, Guilel has some ideas on how to resist digital surveillance without having to live off the grid. Guilel is an assistant professor of ethics and political philosophy at the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology, and Religious Studies.  One of his specializations is the societal stakes of digitalization. If you want to delve deeper into the rabbit hole of digital surveillance, follow Guilel’s suggestions and listen to the podcasts Black Box by The Guardian and The Coming Storm by the BBC. Or read the books suggested by Guilel (best in conjunction): Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

Why do insects in the house make us jump? Have we always hated bugs that much? And what do the small animals have to do with morality – and warfare? In this episode of In a Nutshell, Antonia takes a peek at insects that make people’s skin crawl and, together with this week’s guest researcher Charlotte Meijer, answers the question of why we’re so bugged by bugs. Spoiler alert: there hasn’t always been such straightforward hatred against flies, worms, cockroaches and co.  Charlotte is a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Arts, where she researches the history of insects, focussing on the development of a negative narrative surrounding the little animals. In her research, she is answering, amongst other things, why many insects today are seen as dirty and undesirable. Would you like to learn more about the history of insects? For literature about insects and warfare, follow Charlotte’s recommendation and read Edmund Russell’s book War and Nature or J. R. Mcneill’s book Mosquito Empires. For literature about insects and disease, read J. L. Cloudsley-Thompson’s book Insects and History or Plagues and Peoples by William McNeill. For more information on insects and pests, read Getting under our skin by Lisa Sarasohn. And if you're interested in insects and the arts and sciences, read Onderkruipsels (in Dutch) by Jan de Hond, Eric Jorink and Hans Mulder. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

Why are the current treatments for depression not effective enough? How can a what-fits-who approach help solve this problem? And can the already overwhelmed mental health sector actually provide more customized treatments? Welcome back to In a Nutshell – a podcast of Vox in which we explore everything you never knew you needed to know more about. We kick off the second season by taking a critical look at the current depression treatments. Together with Ellen Driessen, we discuss the role the match between a patient and a therapist plays, how to make the mental health sector more sustainable, and we get some tips on what to do when experiencing depression. Ellen is an assistant professor at Radboud University’s Department of Clinical Psychology and a licensed mental health care psychologist at Pro Persona’s Depression Expertise Centre. Currently, Ellen also leads an international research team that aims to create a tool to help select the optimal treatments for people with depression based on their personal characteristics. Do you want to know more about depression and its treatments? Follow Ellen's suggestions and visit the following websites: For more information on antidepressants, click ⁠here⁠. For more information on depression, follow ⁠this link⁠. And, here you can visit the website of the ⁠Depression Association⁠. ⁠Here ⁠you find a guide to mental healthcare in the Netherlands if you want to know where to turn to. Are you thinking about suicide? Take it seriously and don't try to deal with it alone. Reach out to ⁠113 suicide prevention.⁠ Phone number: +31 800 0113; Chat: ⁠https://www.113.nl/chatten⁠. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

What makes a good political humour scandal? Why does what we find funny change over time? And what is the state of jokes today? In the final episode of In a Nutshell’s first season, we take a look at jokes, politics, and how the combination of both can (and has) lead to historic scandals. With the help of assistant professor and comedy critic Ivo Nieuwenhuis, we detangle modern humour – and look for an answer to the question of what the jokes that make the headlines (and that make us laugh) say about us. Ivo Nieuwenhuis is a researcher of Dutch literature with a strong interest in political humour scandals. Next to his work at the Faculty of Arts, Ivo also works as a comedy critic for the Dutch newspaper Trouw. Would you like to learn more about humour and the scandals that come with it? Then follow Ivo’s tips and have a look at his book, Het was maar een grapje: Nederland in tien humorschandalen (in Dutch), this video clip about why humour is not as innocent as one might think (in Dutch), and this podcast, where Ivo talks more in-depth about his research (in English). Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

What is the history of Dutch slavery? Where can we see the impacts of Dutch slavery today? And how can a day like Ketikoti lead to a more inclusive society? In the nineteenth episode of In a Nutshell, we delve into past realities and present traces of Dutch slavery. Together with this week’s guest, Coen van Galen, we will remember the histories of enslaved people, reflect on how the Dutch are dealing with their historic role in slavery today, and find traces of slavery on the train tracks between Arnhem and Nijmegen. Coen van Galen is an associate professor at the Department of History, Art History and Classics. Furthermore, Coen is the program manager of the Historical Data Base of Suriname and the Caribbean and played a crucial role in publishing the slave registers of Suriname and Curaçao. Do you want to know more about the history of Dutch slavery? Follow Coen’s tip and read “We Slaves Of Suriname” by Anton de Kom. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

How can a website collect your password – even before you hit the sign-up button? Does a VPN help against being tracked online? And why is tracking users actually such an issue? In the eighteenth episode of In a Nutshell, we will take a deep dive into cyber security – and all the things that make the internet a not-so-safe space when it comes to data protection. Together with this week’s guest, Güneş Acar, we will figure out how users can attempt to stay safe when it comes to their data online, and why this can be so difficult. Güneş Acar is an assistant professor for Digital Security at the Faculty of Science and is associated with the iHub (Interdisciplinary Hub for Digitization and Society) at Radboud University. He researches security and privacy threats from, amongst other things, websites and mobile apps, and is a specialist on online tracking. Would you like to learn more about how to stay safe online? Then follow Güneş’ recommendations and have a look at the YouTube video on how dark patterns trick you online, the investigative report Twelve Million Phones, One Data Set, Zero Privacy by the New York Times, or a Wired article on Gunes’ own research how websites collect your information before you have even signed up to them. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

Why do we need to change our outlook on video games? How can gaming help young people to quit smoking? And what role can technology play in mental health care globally? In the seventeenth episode of In a Nutshell, we delve into the world of mental health games. Together with this week’s guest Suhaavi Kochhar, we will debunk the stereotype of gaming, explore the benefits video games can have on our psyche, and learn more about how technology could help us bridge the global mental health gap. Suhaavi Kochhar is a PhD candidate in the Behavioural Science Institute at Radboud University. In her research, she focuses on intervention science and how it can play a supportive role in the treatment of addiction. Do you want to know more about the mental health games? Follow Suhaavi’s tip and check out these videos telling you more about mental health games. Why games could work for mental health and youth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDBrm1qClEU. Insights into the research behind Suhaavi's project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy1XZTPlFOQ&list=PLQ-Z1-dXp0816THsuBWyGwBAjqurzuoId. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

This month, In a Nutshell presents something different: a two-part series focussing on the subject of Palestine. We offer the microphone to researchers who tell us about their perspectives and knowledge on the topic in its broadest sense. This week’s guest, Sally Thin, will untangle the genocide case against Israel. How can a country be tried for genocide? What are the limits of international law? And what happens if a state is found responsible for genocide by the International Court of Justice? In this episode, Sally (Sarah) Thin will tackle the complicated topic of international law and South Africa’s ongoing genocide case against Israel. Sally Thin is an assistant professor in International and European Law. She is a member of the Research Centre for State and Law (SteR) and the current managing editor of the Hague Yearbook of International Law. In the past, Sally has also been a volunteer for several human rights and environmental organisations, including Fossielvrij NL and Amnesty International. Would you like to know more about this topic? Follow Sally’s tip and have a listen to the Asser Institute podcast JurisDictions. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

This month, In a Nutshell presents something different: a two-part series focussing on the subject of Palestine. We offer the microphone to researchers who tell us about their perspectives and knowledge on the topic in its broadest sense. Seeing that this is a big topic, we provide explanations for some key terms below. This week’s guest, Noura, will look at Palestine through a settler colonial lens: What is settler colonialism? How does it work? And how does it affect Palestinians today? Noura will navigate us through these questions and share her academic, as well as her personal insights with us. Noura is an Assistant professor of Human Geography at the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment. Settler colonialism in Palestine is one of her fields of expertise. Do you want to know more about settler colonialism in Palestine? Follow Noura’s tip and read The Hundred Years' War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi. Key terms: Intifada: Intifada is an Arabic word that means ‘shaking off’. In the Palestinian context, it stands for civil uprising against the Israeli oppression and occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The first Intifada happened in the 1980s and the second Intifada in the early 2000s. Zionism: Zionism is a political ideology and movement originally for the establishment of an exclusive Jewish national state in Palestine. Zionism argues that the only solution to anti-Semitism is the establishment of an independent nation-state for Jewish people through the strengthening and enlargement of the state of Israel. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

Does it matter whether Russian athletes compete at the Olympics? Why do transgender athletes ruffle so many feathers when it comes to sports competitions – even in disciplines like darts? And why do countries keep hosting mega-sporting events, even if they lead to massive financial losses? Sport is at the centre of many political debates. But why? In this week’s episode of In a Nutshell, Antonia talks to PhD candidate Paul Reef about mega-sporting events and the politics behind them. Including discussions about the upcoming Paris Olympics and why some of its security measures might be here to stay. Paul Reef is a PhD candidate in political and international history at the Faculty of Arts. He is researching the intersection between sport and politics, specifically public protests against the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup. In 2023, he was awarded the Hermesdorf Talent Award for his media appearances on sport politics and his role in the public debate on human rights and international sporting events. Do you want to learn more about the politics of sport? Then follow Paul’s recommendations for critical journalistic reporting about sporting events, including the platform inside the games, and, if you speak Dutch, the sports reporting of Trouw and NRC. For a more historical perspective on the politics of sport, have a look at Barbara Keys’ book Globalizing Sport. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

Why do we need to talk about death? How can we relearn to think of dying differently? And why do music and tattoos help in processing the death of a loved one? In the thirteenth episode of In a Nutshell, we stare death in the face. Together with this week’s guest, Iline Ceelen, we will explore our perception of death, talk about last parties and walks, and, in the meantime, gain some engaging bits of wisdom about life. Iline Ceelen is a PhD candidate in Comparative Religious Studies at the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies. She has always pondered life’s greatest mysteries. After exploring the topic of birth through her work as a midwife, she now is facing the topic of death. Iline’s work has taught her valuable insights into life that she passes on to her audience. Do you want to know more about euthanasia? Follow Iline’s tip and read What Kind of Death by Govert den Hartogh. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

How can a spider ‘think’ with its eyes? What can we learn about thinking from baking bread? And how have the weird environments humans built around them changed the way we think? The twelfth episode of In a Nutshell is all about animal intelligence – and how understanding animal intelligence can teach us something about human intelligence too. Together with this week’s guest Bas van Woerkum-Rooker Antonia takes a dive into alternative forms of thinking – some of which don’t even require a brain. Bas van Woerkum-Rooker is a Ph.D. candidate at the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies. He has previously graduated with a research master’s in Philosophy of Mind and in his Ph.D. project, Bas strives to develop a less human-centred view of animal minds. Would you like to know more about how animals think? Follow Bas’ tips and read Beyond the Brain by Louise Barrett or An Immense World by Ed Young or watch the animated movie Wolfwalkers. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

What does space look like? Why do we need to explore the universe? And what do microwaves have to do with that? The eleventh episode of In a Nutshell is a small expedition to space. Together with this week’s guest Søren Larsen, we will look at pictures from space, talk about telescopes, and learn why exploring space is not only important but also useful for life on Earth.   Søren Larsen is an associate professor at the Department of Astrophysics and a member of the Euclid consortium. He is interested in understanding star formation histories, the chemical enrichment of nearby galaxies, and stellar clusters. Søren discovered his passion for stars in his childhood in the Danish countryside and has been infecting his audience with his enthusiasm ever since.  Do you want to know more about space? Follow Søren’s tips and read The Glass Universe by Dava Sobel and visit www.astronomie.nl. Or have a look through a telescope yourself and join the Stargazing Evening in Nijmegen on March 22nd.  Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

Time seems to be a pretty straightforward affair – or is it? What if history would not move ahead, but function as a spiral, like Indigenous understandings of time suggest? And how does this influence the way we can relate to nature? The tenth episode of In a Nutshell is dedicated to Indigenous perspectives on nature and time. This week’s guest, Laura, will explain how this can inform Indigenous activism – and why always looking seven generations into the future might also be a good policy for Western environmental policy. Laura De Vos is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Arts. They teach Indigenous Studies and American Studies courses and are currently researching North American Indigenous social movements. Would you like to learn more about indigenous ways of viewing the world and a spiralic understanding of time? Then follow Laura’s tip and read The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

Why are candy bars so tempting? What makes the microbes in our gut so important? And are we really what we eat? The ninth episode of In A Nutshell is all about the link between our brains and food choices. This week’s guest, Esther, will tell us how our brains, immune systems, and guts are connected. Esther Aarts is a Principal Investigator at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour of the Food and Cognition group and a Professor of Nutritional Neuroscience. She examines how our brain impacts our eating behavior and how the food we consume impacts our brain and vividly explains her findings to her audience. Do you want to know more about the link between food and our brains? Follow Esther’s tip and read The Psychobiotic Revolution by Scott Anderson. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

Have you ever watched a movie or read a book and thought: ‘I’d like to read more of this’? Then you are in luck because there probably is – in the form of fanfiction. And PhD student Julia Neugarten studies them. The eighth episode of In a Nutshell is entirely dedicated to this fascinating piece of online subculture and literary genre. And from its origins in the 1960s to the more than 14 million works published on the fanfiction open-source repository Archive of Our Own today – Julia knows all about it. So, what makes people write and publish stories for free? What has Star Trek to do with homoerotic fanfiction? And what do authors think about fanfictions of their work? Listen in and find out. Would you like to learn more about fanfiction? Then have a look at Julia’s tip and read Francesca Coppa’s book The Fanfiction Reader: Folk Tales for the Digital Age (2017) – or dive in directly with the fanfiction of your choice on Archive of Our Own. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

What makes Long Covid traumatic? Which role do politics and society play in this? And why should we follow the Germans? The seventh episode of In A Nutshell is all about Long Covid. This week’s guest Vivienne Matthies-Boon will tell us about her personal struggle with the sickness and about how her experience has been heavily affected by political structures. Vivienne Matthies-Boon is a professor of Philosophical Ethics and Political Philosophy at the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies. Her primary interests are phenomenological experiences of injustice and in her work, she deals with fragility, trauma, death, illness, and health. In her newest research, Vivienne examines Long Covid through her philosophical lens and elaborately explains how and why the sickness is traumatic. Do you want to know more about Long Covid and trauma? Follow Vivienne’s tip and watch 'Unrest' by Jennifer Brea or read up on Long Covid here https://www.bmg-longcovid.de/. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

From 25-year-old single women being historically referred to as ‘spinsters’ to Bridget Jones singlehood jokes of the early 2000s – singles don’t always have it easy. And, until recently, they were also neglected when it came to being academically studied as a distinct group of people. The sixth episode of In a Nutshell is entirely dedicated to this rising global demographic of singles. For this, we have invited the ‘accidental’ singlehood researcher Ea Utoft into the studio. Together, we talk about the drawbacks and the benefits of modern singlehood – and everything in between. Ea Utoft is an assistant professor at Radboud University and an expert in singlehood studies. She started writing about singlehood during her Ph.D. research and especially during the pandemic, when many single people were outside of any social bubbles and largely isolated, and has been fascinated with the topic ever since. Would you like to learn more about the science behind and experiences of being single? Follow Ea’s tips and read Rebecca Traister’s book All the Single Ladies or Glynnis MacNicol’s memoir No One Tells You This. Or have a listen to the podcasts Solo – The Single Person’s Guide to a Remarkable Life and Spinsterhood Reimagined. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

How risky is playing the lottery? Why would anyone go free solo climbing? And most importantly, do we need to risk it to get the biscuit?  The fifth episode of In a Nutshell is all about risking it. From gambling to putting one’s life on the line – this episode will take you onto the uncertain paths of life. And this week’s guest Kim Fairley will be the navigator on this exploration of risk. Kim Fairley is an assistant professor of Economics with specific expertise in behavioural economics at the Nijmegen School of Management. Unlike most people, Kim does not avoid risks but instead investigates them to share her useful findings with her audience. Do you want to know more about risk, uncertainty, and insecurity? Follow Kim’s tip and listen to the podcasts Freakonomics Radio and ParentData with Emily Oster. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

In the fourth episode of In a Nutshell, host Antonia Leise invites the Ph.D. candidate in Plant Ecology and Physiology Rosa Boone into the studio. In this episode, we go below ground and have a close look at the soil our food depends upon – or, more precisely, how an electronic nose can help sniff out whether grassland soil is healthy or not. Why is healthy soil important? How can smell help in determining soil health? And what do Pickwick tea bags have to do with all of this? Rosa Boone knows the answers – even though determining what healthy soil is might not be as straightforward of a question as one might think. Rosa Boone is a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Science and currently developing an electronic nose to help farmers determine whether their soil is healthy or not. She has long been fascinated with nature restoration and works closely with farmers and artists to make the topic of soil health more accessible.  Want to know more about soil health? Follow Rosa's tip and watch the documentary Planet Soil (2023; Dutch: Onder het Maaiveld) or read the book Nose Dive (2022) by Harold McGee. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

In the third episode of In a Nutshell, host Jara Majerus invites professor of Mathematical Physics and lover of randomness Klaas Landsman into the studio. In this episode, we dive into the riddles of randomness. What is randomness? Which role does it play in the universe, and what does Einstein have to do with it? Klaas Landsman knows all the answers and explains why he is utterly excited about everything random. Klaas Landsman is a Professor of Mathematical Physics and the winner of the Spinoza Prize 2022. He has investigated randomness and chance thoroughly and does not lose his enthusiasm to share and explain his findings to people around him. Want to know more about chance? Follow Klaas’ tip and read "Ten Great Ideas about Chance" by Brian Skyrms and Persi Diaconis (2018) or "Naar alle onwaarschijnlijkheid" (Dutch Edition, 2018) by Klaas himself. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

In the second episode of In a Nutshell, host Antonia Leise invites assistant professor and historian of emotion Anneleen Arnout into the studio. This episode is all about the material that we walk through the world on – and mostly tend to forget about. Guest Anneleen Arnout introduces the surprisingly emotional history of asphalt paving. Including an exploration into horse accidents of the 19th century, asphalt's prior history as a make-up component – and why people used to boil eggs on streets. Anneleen Arnout is an assistant professor of Cultural History at Radboud University. Fascinated by the history of emotion, her current project, for which she received a VENI grant from the Dutch Research Council (NWO), focuses on the urban emotional experience in Amsterdam, London, and Paris of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Would you like to know more about the emotional history of asphalt paving and the making of the modern metropolis? Follow Anneleen's tip and watch the movie Berlin – Die Sinfonie der Großstadt (1927; trans.: Berlin: Symphony of a Metropolis). Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

In the first episode of In a Nutshell, host Jara Majerus invites the PhD scholar and folktale enthusiast Arjan Sterken into the studio.  This episode is all about monsters. What are monsters? Where do they come from, and what are they trying to tell us? Arjan Sterken knows all the answers and lets us in on the mythical meaning of uncanny creatures. Arjan Sterken is a teacher and PhD scholar in Comparative Religious Studies at the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies. He is utterly fascinated by folktales and myths and loves to pass this fascination on to his audience. Want to know more about monsters? Follow Arjan's tip and watch the movie The Shape of Water. Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise  

Welcome to the podcast In a Nutshell that is brought to you by Vox - or more precisely, by Jara Majerus and Antonia Leise. Every two weeks, we will explore the most interesting topics that a hundred years of Radboud University have brought forward. Do you want to learn more about stories you might have never heard of? Make sure to subscribe and check out the first episode on the 9th of October! Hosts: Antonia Leise & Jara Majerus Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise