A Gentle Revolution

Leiden University has a reputation of conservatism and conformism. Historians Bart van der Steen and Pieter Slaman show that this is incorrect. Leiden has a strong tradition of student activism. More than in other Dutch cities, however, such radical interventions were overtaken by meetings and compromises.

On November 5 historians Bart van der Steen and Pieter Slaman took a group of staff and students on a historic tour through Leiden and told us everything about the city's history of student activism.

They are working on a podcast to make the tour available to all of you who missed it.

Keep an eye on this space or follow us on Twitter.

Bart van der Steen is a historian of protest and social movements and works as a librarian at Leiden University Libraries. He published about protests in Leiden and was a member of the University Council (2016-2020).

Pieter Slaman is a lecturer in the history of education and policy at Leiden University. After his PhD on the political history of study grants and support, he co-authored the book "In de regel vrij" about Dutch education politics since 1918. IN 2021, his book "The Glass Tower" was published, about Leiden University between 1970 and 2020.

This event is part of our series University from below.