Extra opportunities

For students looking for an extra challenge in addition to their Master's, there are several options. 

NOG National Research Day

The Netherlands Research School of Gender Studies (NOG) hosts the annual National Research Day, dedicated to the cutting-edge work of junior researchers in the field of Gender, Ethnicity, Sexuality, and Diversity at Dutch universities.

By applying to the call of papers, you may be selected to present your work on this day and gain feedback from relevant women’s, gender, and postcolonial studies scholars as well as your peers.

NOISE Summer School

NOISE stands for the Network Of Interdisciplinary Women’s Studies in Europe. Starting in 1993, the NOI♀SE Summer School has been a successful yearly event, giving students and teachers the opportunity to exchange knowledge in the field of gender studies in an international context.

Each year takes up a specific theme that will be approached from different perspectives by guest lecturers from around the globe who specialise in various fields. The NOI♀SE Summer School takes place in the last week of August.

Doing Gender lecture series

What is the state-of-the-art definition of gender? How do contemporary scholars and activists utilise this definition?

The Doing Gender lectures stress the importance of doing gender work combined with active involvement in the practice of gender theory and research. Key to the lectures is a hands-on approach to gender issues, in the sense of social and political engagement with new forms of gender inequalities that are taking shape in the world today.

The lecture series provides a stage for new generations of gender theorists and practitioners and for perspectives that innovate the field and do gender in new ways. Previous speakers include Susan Stryker, Bracha Ettinger, Griselda Pollock, Femke Halsema, Elleke Boehmer, and Sunny Bergman.

Postcolonial Studies Initiative

The Postcolonial Studies Initiative (PCI) at Utrecht University is intended as a platform for research into postcolonial issues, specifically focused on their application within Europe.

The PCI organises activities such as lectures, film series, Master classes, and seminars, striving for greater interaction with society at large. As such, it brings together a number of researchers from diverse areas and disciplines, both from Utrecht University and from other universities in the Netherlands as well as international partner universities.

AtGender

The European Association for Gender Research, Education and Documentation, is a broad association for academics, practitioners, activists and institutions in the field of Women’s, Gender, Transgender, Sexuality, and Queer studies, feminist research, women’s, sexual and LGBTQI rights, equality, and diversity. The association constitutes a permanent structure for the growing field of knowledge and practice in Europe.

InterGender

InterGender offers a large scale research training programme meeting the needs of PhD students in different phases of their training. The main modules are offered every year on a rotating basis, thus coordinating the respective specialities of the different partner institutions, as well as the different needs of first-, mid- and last-phase PhD students. InterGender is organized so as to ensure the quality of the research performed by the students, as well as the continued development of the training programme they undergo.

Honouring your curiosity

Utrecht University offers several honours programmes for students looking for an extra avenue to nurture their curiosity and foster their personal development. Honours education is followed on top of your regular Master’s programme. The UU Honours College offers 4 university-wide honours programmes.

University-wide honours programmes

In these interdisciplinary programmes, you can let your diverse interests run wild as you work on varying social and academic issues together with students from other disciplines. By analysing issues from different perspectives, you’ll learn how to navigate complex societal issues through a broader lens.

In an increasingly interconnected world, learning how to work with people from different fields is a vital skill. After completing these honours programmes you will receive an honours certificate during a festive ceremony. The following programmes are offered: 

For more information on honours education at the UU, go to the Honours College webpage, the honours Instagram, or email us at honourscollege@uu.nl.