How can science and collaboration contribute to solutions for complex societal challenges? In three new episodes of EWUU Science Bites, researchers explore a range of topics: communication between the gut and the brain, the development of biobased construction value chains, and how to make complex science understandable for a broad audience. Each conversation offers a different perspective on what can emerge when different forms of knowledge and expertise come together.
The podcast series was recorded in the EWUU Science Circus Tent during the 2026 Summervibes Festival at Wageningen Campus. Researchers discussed their work live with host Robbin Reijnen and the audience. The conversations are now available as podcasts on Spotify. In 2025 episode 1 – 5 were recorded and are available on Spotify as well.
With EWUU Science Bites, EWUU gives researchers a lively platform to connect knowledge and perspectives across disciplines and institutions, and to explore new questions and insights together.
Podcast: Van Land tot Pand: Biobased Bouwen (in Dutch!)
How can we build with renewable resources such as timber and fibre crops? And what does it take to develop a biobased construction value chain in practice? Researcher Ilse Voskamp (WUR) takes us into a project that looks not only at materials, but also at the connections between urban and rural areas, biodiversity, climate adaptation and collaboration between regional partners. The project is supported by the EWUU Institute for a Circular Society.
Podcast: How gut and brain talk you into health
In How gut and brain talk you into health, researcher Klaske van Norren (WUR) explores the communication between the gut and the brain. What happens in the body when you are ill? Why do you lose your appetite, for example? And what can we learn from the so-called gut-brain axis about recovery and quality of life? Van Norren conducts this research within the EWUU Institute for Preventive Health.
Podcast: How to show people things they can’t see (yet)
Synthetic cells, invisible biological processes and complex scientific knowledge: how can you help others understand what your research is about? Researchers Charlotte Koster (WUR) and Lisette van Bruggen (UMC Utrecht) discuss what it takes to make complex science understandable and meaningful. They explore the role of storytelling, visualisations and personal relevance. The episode brings together research from EWUU Living Technologies and EWUU Education.
During the 2025 Wageningen Summervibes Festival, five EWUU Science Bites episodes were recorded:
- Science bites How healthcare pollutes the planet – and how to fix it
- Science bites Why the future of people and planet starts in a petri dish
- Science bites Why your postcode predicts your death — and how to change that
- Science bites How to prepare the next generation for the challenges of the future
- Science bites Why AI is watching whats on your plate
