No University tackles fundamental problems with science, art and technology

No University - Centre for Advanced Studies is a movement that aims to break down walls in the academic world by having makers, artists and scientists work together to build an equitable and sustainable society. Founder Jeroen Lutters, professor of the professorship Art Education as Critical Tactics (AECT) tells about this special project.

The name ‘No University’ was chosen for good reason: the centre positions itself as a movement away from the university as we know it. “The modern university is focused on efficiency and reason, and has created a segregation: people who think, people who feel and people who make have been separated”, Jeroen explains. “But,” Jeroen insists: “if we want to tackle fundamental problems like climate change, these different people and disciplines need to join forces and work together.”

In No University, we are building a community with scientists, artists and makers. We join existing institutions and connect the right people to each other. And it’s about quality of work. We’re not looking at disciplines and diplomas.

Partly because of his children, Jeroen feels the urgency to deal with big social issues. “I don’t want them to say later: you were only writing nice books, but what have you done for the world? I want to contribute to the world of tomorrow. You can’t leave that to the young generation only.”

In 2022, No University curator Arjen Hosper organised NEXT GENERATION, a two-day knowledge festival.

NEXT GENERATION, photos Christein van Hoffen