Uni-visions

What is your vision of the future? What will it be like to study at Leiden University in 2075?

Enter our competition and bring your ideas to life. A drawing, a piece of writing, a film, a poem, a photo, AI art, a painting, a piece of music, a dance, a song... the sky’s the limit.

Anyone (16+) can enter. All you need to do is share your vision of the future. Three winners will get a unique opportunity to bring their work to life and put it on show in Leiden and The Hague.

What is Uni-visions?

The world is rapidly changing. Technology, globalisation, the energy transition and AI will shape the future of universities and their students. What do you see if you look ahead? What will studying at Leiden University be like in 2075?

Leiden University is inviting you to share your vision of the future. Be a visionary and let your imagination and creativity run free. Describe (minimum 10 words, maximum 300 words) what studying might look like at Leiden University in 2075.

Then choose the form you'd like to express your idea in. Anything goes: a painting, piece of music, mural, poem, comic, film, audio clip, performance, artistic photo, story or any other form of creative expression.

Science is about asking questions and seeking answers. Your creativity will generate space to find those answers.

How does Uni-visions work?

Your idea

You have until the end of 17 June to send us your vision of the future. The jury will view all the entries and invite around 25 Uni-visionaries to Uni-vision day on 28 June 2025.

Uni-vision day

An inspiring afternoon (28 June 2025) spent exploring your vision for the future with creative thinkers and researchers in sessions on futures thinking, science and creativity.

Public vote

You will have until 6 July to submit your final work (or prototype). The jury will choose 10 Uni-visionaries for the public vote (on this website), and will reveal the three winners at the end of the summer.

Three winners

The three winners will have the unique opportunity of a production budget to create their work and present or perform it at events and exhibitions in Leiden and The Hague during Leiden University’s jubilee year.

17 June

Last day to send us your vision of the future

19 June

Invitation to Uni-visionary day

28 June

Uni-visionary day, 12.45 – 17.45 hrs

6 July

Deadline for your final work (or protoype)

15 July – 15 Aug

Public vote on 10 Uni-visionaries on jury shortlist

End of Aug

Three winners announced

Sept – Dec

Realise and exhibit/share ideas

Uni-vision Day - 28 June

Registration is now closed. Thank you for all the beautiful and inspiring submissions!
We'll be working with a selection of these Uni-Visionaries during the Uni-Visionary Day.

Date: Saturday 28 June 2025
Time: 12.45 – 17.45 hrs.
Location: Academy Building, Faculty Club & Hortus Botanicus
Please note: This is an invitation-only event.

During the Uni-vision Day we will have you honing your vision of the future, during inspiring talks and interactive sessions, hosted by artists, academics and creative thinkers:

Meta Knol (Chair. Plenary Session)
Art historian, former museum director and time traveller Meta Knol works at the intersection between art, science and society. She is the moderator of our Uni-visionary day.

Marjolijn van Heemstra (Keynote. Plenary Session)
How might we look differently at time, space and our place on Earth. theatre-maker, writer and futures thinker Marjolijn invites us to relinquish the familiar and make room for the unimaginable

Creative Session Programme in two rounds
Jeroen van der Most (Creative session 1)
Digital artist Jeroen van der Most will show how unbound thinking sparks groundbreaking creativity. Inspiring examples and practical lessons will have you discovering how to create and innovate on a larger scale.

Fides Lapidaire (Creative session 2)
Social Designer Fides offers surprising perspectives on complex issues. She dares you not to understand, looks where you think you won't find anything and uncovers new questions. This creates awareness processes that initiate change.

Matthijs van Dijk - Reframing Studio (Creative session 3)
Matthijs will guide participants in reframing their future ideas for Leiden University. This will help maximise the relationship between goals, form and social values.

Tanja de Bie - LLINC (Creative session 4
Explore the future with the 'Futures Wheel' method. Tanja and her team will help you discover and deepen your understanding of the effects of future scenarios to prepare you for changes in education and society.

Lauren Vargas (Plenary)
Build, explore and share your ideas for the future with LEGO®, fostering dialogue, imagination and collaboration.

Who can enter?

Anyone aged 16 and above can enter: residents of Leiden, The Hague and beyond. Whether you are a student, academic, artist, designer or just plain curious, we can't wait to see your vision of the future of studying. (Registration is now closed. Thank you for all the beautiful and inspiring submissions!)

How do I enter?

Entering is easy. Describe your vision (minimum 10 words, maximum 300 words) of studying at Leiden University in 2075. Choose the creative form you’d like to use to bring your vision to life: a painting, piece of music, mural, poem, film, audio clip, performance, photo, story, or any other creative work. You have until the end of 17 June 2025 to enter.

FAQ

What is Uni-vision day?

Uni-vision day is an inspiring day on Saturday 28 June 2025 where experts from the arts, science and teaching will help you hone your vision of the future. This is event is on invitation.

Who can enter?

Anyone aged 16 and above with a fresh vision for the future can enter.

Can we enter as a group?

Yes, you can enter as an individual, duo or group.

What is the entry deadline?

Registration is now closed. Thank you for all the beautiful and inspiring submissions! We'll be working with a selection of these Uni-Visionaries during the Uni-Visionary Day.

What if I’m not sure what creative format to use?

We expect you to consider this already so you can choose a format that suits you.

All FAQs