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For Laura Sels, not a day goes past without talking about relationships. You could call her a romantic, although she doesn’t necessarily believe in the ‘one and only’. She spends a little too much time looking at things from a research perspective for that: after all, as a postdoc, she is studying emotional processes in romantic relationships. “I can spend hours philosophising and thinking about them. I am also keen to actually help couples in the future.”

2021 was (once again) a year like no other. Take a look back at a selection of remarkable moments of last year at our university.

Bacteria may be able to protect us from chronic lung disease. The best news of all? These bacteria can be found in our lungs. This discovery has already attracted international attention and may lead to new treatment.

You might not always see them around, but during their studies quite a few students take on an important commitment - that of student representative. They have a voice on a variety of Ghent University councils and commissions, where they look after their fellow students’ interests. Meet four of these vital student reps.

Vertical farming is booming, and above all in an urban context, since this method requires less space in order to grow sufficient food for a large number of people. Vertical farming is an agricultural concept where crops are grown in a tall greenhouse, in vertically stacked layers. The plants are not planted in earth; instead, they are cultivated in nutrient-enriched water. Artificial light is needed to ensure that the plants receive enough light in order to grow. But which sort of light gives the best result? This is the focus of one of the studies by a team of bio-engineers from Ghent University.

Professor Philippe Smet of Ghent University (Faculty of Sciences, Department of Solid-State Sciences) has been researching light for 20 years. So, he is the man to explain exactly what light is.

A simple question, but one with a not so simple answer. Or, to be precise, no single answer. To a physicist, light has a very different meaning to, say, a philosopher. Three scientists shine their own light on light.

In Glasgow, from 31 October to 12 November, the 26th Climate Conference will take place. For twelve days, 196 countries will be examining – yet again - climate change and how we should tackle it. How unequivocal are scientists on the climate issue? And to what extent does the political agenda take climate science into account?

The medical field is on the verge of a revolution, all thanks to... light. Medical devices will soon become so small and inexpensive that they will become part of everyday equipment. The driving force behind this technological revolution is photonics. ‘It is the fastest growing ‘‘enabling” technology we know’, says Roel Baets, head of the Photonics Research Group.

Public debate about decolonisation has become extremely lively, especially in the aftermath of the Black Lives Matter protests. But the story is still far from over. What about reading lists? Museums? The way in which we teach?