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Wouter de Rijk (Utrecht University) has won the annual pitch competition Breaking Science of Utrecht University. According to the jury on May 29th, the PhD candidate at the Utrecht University School of Governance, best presented his research to a lay audience.

The eight finalists of Breaking Science were asked to explain their research and passion for science to a lay audience... in just three minutes.

Theatrical pitch

Wouter de Rijk started by asking the public to close their eyes. 'Imagine you are travelling in a time machine, to the year 2100', while making funny 'time machine noises'. The audience had to imagine what kind of world they saw while stepping out of this time machine. When opening their eyes again, Wouter started to explain the connection with his research.

‘The climate crisis is a crisis of our collective imagination. It is easier for us to imagine manically continuing to pursue economic growth while burning up the earth than to imagine a different way of living together. In my research as a political scientist, I examine the role of our collective imaginations of the future in climate politics and policy. Because we are currently trapped in a narrow, economic-growth-oriented imagination of the future, my research focuses on alternative imaginaries of the future. Where do they come from? Who come up with them? And how can they be politically reinforced to counterbalance the dominant, but fatal, image of the future? How we think about the future is the domain of political struggle in times of climate change. That is why I want my research to ultimately contribute to democratising that struggle for the future.’

The climate crisis is a crisis of our collective imagination. It is easier for us to imagine manically continuing to pursue economic growth while burning up the earth than to imagine a different way of living together.

Content, clarity and connection

The past few weeks family, friends and colleagues already got a glimpse of the fascinating world of our researchers. In total 29 scientists participated in Breaking Science 2024 and took the stage during four heats. The jury, which each heat consisted of a science journalist and a researcher, judged the pitches based on three criteria: content, clarity and connection.

Before the heats, all contestants were trained in how to design a pitch, how to bring this to the stage and how to engage with the audience.

Certificate worth €1.500

At the end of the final, the jury selected Wouter as the winner. Prof Dr Mara Yerkes, Dr Marij Swinkels,  and  presented Wouter with his certificate. He won €1.500 to spend on a conference or summer school of his choice.

Photos by Thijs Rooimans