Filter

Nowadays there’s a lot of talk about isolation and loneliness. Yet no matter your age, it’s not easy to admit that you’re lonely. We think it’s only normal that elderly people are lonely. In her research, Haike searches for the human stories behind the statistics, hoping to do away with the stereotypical view of the solitary senior citizen.

With the transition to the new UAntwerp house style, our merchandise was in need of a makeover. Various items with the new logo – from flash drives and ballpoint pens to teddy bears and cheerful socks – will soon be on sale. Sustainability, corporate social responsibility and creativity were top priorities in our search for a new supplier.

It’s an increasingly common sight in cities: walls that are overgrown with plants. If you look closely, you’ll see black dust on the leaves of these green façades. That’s because these plants filter particulate matter from the air, improving air quality. But which type of green façade makes the best air filter? Scientists at the University of Antwerp are using a wind tunnel to investigate.

What do you do when you can’t organise a ‘proper’ staff party? Make radio! On Thursday 20 May, we presented Radio Unifiesta to provide an afternoon filled with background entertainment for the offices (and home offices) of UAntwerp staff. The show was full of music, original advertisements, quizzes and stories, along with messages from, for and by colleagues.

He, him, she, her, they, them… How should you address people? Are you 100% sure of their gender identity? In light of this year’s International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on 17 May, UAntwerp is focusing on gender-aware and gender-inclusive communication. Get started with it today, and actively contribute to a more inclusive society.

A Feather in Your Cap: the feather is a prize passed on from one UAntwerp colleague to another in recognition of their efforts or achievements. This time, Werner Coppieters (Product Development Department) passes the feather on to Michel Corthaut (Interior Architecture Department).

Behind Campus Groenenborger lies a beautiful piece of nature, where the university created a community garden last year. This garden brings UAntwerp students and lecturers in contact with the elderly residents of an assisted-living facility and the children of a kindergarten nearby. Delicious herbs, fruit, vegetables, young trees, beautiful flowers… the garden has been in full bloom for a year now and is constantly expanding.

Working from home has been the ‘new normal’ for over a year now, and that isn’t likely to change any time soon. So take a moment to check that you’re sitting comfortably at your desk, and make sure you’re spending your days in a productive and healthy way. Together with Mensura we’ll point you in the direction of the perfect home office in eight simple steps.

With a major prevention project, our university is focusing even more strongly on the mental well-being of its students. Truyken Ossenblok and Femme Swinnen from the Study Advice and Student Counselling Service are in charge of this project. And they want to involve as many colleagues as possible.