Best KU Leuven Podcasts (2025)

1
20. Friendship & Career Growth - A Talk With Surekha Reddy (Cognogent) & Aruna Nadesan (Exponential AI) 16:37

5d ago16:37

16:37

Listen and get insights into Friendship & Career Growth in this talk with Surekha Reddy and Aruna Nadesan. Surekha is the Founder & Chief Product and Technology Officer at Cognogent, an AI Start-up streamlining complex RFP processes through AI-driven solutions. Aruna is the Chief Product Officer at Exponential AI, a Healthcare AI Platform Company t…

1
Camp Diplomacy: Maryna Shevtsova on the Politics and Power of Eurovision 21:40

11d ago21:40

21:40

Each May, the dazzling and often divisive Eurovision song contest stirs up a whirlwind of fans, deep emotions, and fierce debates. Ahead of this year’s edition, political scientists Maryna Shevtsova and Peter Vermeersch delve into the social and political undercurrents of Eurovision — and its future. A lifelong fan with a sharp analytical lens, Mar…

1
Emilia Kledzik on the Appropriation of Papusza’s Voice and the Stereotyping of Romani Poetry 21:45

25d ago21:45

21:45

In this episode of Studio Central and Eastern Europe, we dive into the powerful intersection of literature, myth, and minority narratives in postwar Poland. Our guest is Prof. Emilia Kledzik, a literary scholar from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, whose groundbreaking book The Poet’s Perspective: Jerzy Ficowski’s Romani Studies explores the r…

1
#112 - Prof. Robert Nicholls 51:56

2M ago51:56

51:56

Professor Robert Nicholls from the University of East Anglia explains how sea levels are rising due to ocean warming, melting glaciers, and ice sheet loss. He also highlights how human activities like groundwater extraction cause land to sink in many coastal cities. Even if emissions stop today, sea levels will keep rising for centuries. This episo…

1
Ria Laenen Offers a Non-Eurocentric View on the Unraveling World Order and Europe’s Misjudgment of Putin 20:20

2M ago20:20

20:20

In this episode, Ria Laenen discusses her recently published and already widely acclaimed book on the history of global politics since World War II, Een heel klein beetje vrede (A Tiny Bit of Peace). She answers questions from Lien Verpoest, professor of the history of international relations at KU Leuven, about whether we are witnessing a major hi…

1
#111 - Prof. Sera L. Young 52:30

2M ago52:30

52:30

Professor Sera Young explains that water security depends on availability, accessibility, quality, and reliability. A household may have water, but if access is restricted, unsafe, or unreliable, they still face water insecurity. To measure this, she developed the Household Water Insecurity Experiences (HWISE) and Individual Water Insecurity Experi…

1
#110 - Prof. Marc Bierkens 51:20

3M ago51:20

51:20

Professor Bierkens explains his work on water safety. He uses mathematical models with satellite and socioeconomic data to track water movement and storage in soil and groundwater. He shows that while overall water will be enough, some areas may face short-term shortages or quality issues. He also notes that climate change, through changes in rainf…

1
The Revival of Soviet-Era Denunciations in Putin’s Russia and Its Lessons for Contemporary Europe 36:20

3M ago36:20

36:20

This podcast is an edited recording of the conversation, in which we explored the resurgence of Soviet-era citizen denunciations in Vladimir Putin’s Russia, a practice once central to Stalinist repression. Russian anthropologist Alexandra Arkhipova, who both studied and experienced this phenomenon, shared how she was reported to authorities seven t…

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#109 - Prof. Heidi Richards 1:00:52

3M ago1:00:52

1:00:52

Professor Heidi Richards shares her journey from biochemistry to membrane research, tackling wastewater treatment and acid mine drainage (AMD) in South Africa. She reveals promising results from testing membrane distillation on highly saline AMD, achieving near-complete sulfate removal and detecting lithium in the brine concentrate. This discovery …

1
Oliver Reisner on Stalin, Memory, and Georgian Identity 21:30

4M ago21:30

21:30

- In this episode of Studio Central and Eastern Europe, Oliver Reisner, a professor of Caucasian studies at Ilia University in Tbilisi, discusses the historical process of national identity construction in Georgia and the challenges Georgians face in reckoning with the memory of Stalin and their communist past. In his interview with historian Alben…

1
#108 - Ramón Rubio de Castro: The Water MBA 42:46

4M ago42:46

42:46

Ramón Rubio de Castro, founder of The Water MBA, explains how his platform helps water professionals gain practical knowledge. He shares how it offers structured content on desalination, wastewater treatment, and project management, making learning accessible and clear. He also highlights the importance of understanding the real strengths and limit…

1
19. Bridging The Gap Between Good Enough & Full Throttle - A Talk With Radhika Rangarajan (Women in Big Data) 23:06

4M ago23:06

23:06

Join us for an insightful talk about the powerful philosophy of 'Bridging The Gap Between Good Enough & Full Throttle' with Radhika Rangarajan, Co-founder and Executive Director of Women in Big Data. In this episode, we unpack Radhika's philosophy of 'Bridging The Gap Between Good Enough & Full Throttle', which is rooted in three fundamental princi…

1
#107 - Prof. João Crespo 58:21

4M ago58:21

58:21

Professor João Crespo explains how placing energy where it matters in membrane separation, such as at the surface instead of the bulk, can significantly improve filtration by reducing mass transfer limitations and combating concentration polarization. He shares insights into the challenges of turning ideas into real products, drawing from his spin-…

1
Guardians of Heritage: Elzbieta Olzacka on Protecting Ukraine's Cultural Legacy During War 19:08

4M ago19:08

19:08

Join us for a compelling conversation with Dr. Elżbieta Olzacka, Assistant Professor at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, as she sheds light on the emotional and challenging experiences of museum workers striving to safeguard Ukraine’s cultural heritage amidst the ravages of war. In this episode of Studio Central and Eastern Europe, Dr. Olzack…

1
#106 - Prof. Mathias Ulbricht 1:06:42

5M ago1:06:42

1:06:42

Prof. Dr. Mathias Ulbricht joins Rhea and me to share his journey in membrane technology, discussing his "toolbox" approach to customizing membranes, solutions for fouling resistance and recycling, and the importance of collaboration and mentorship in transforming research into real-world impact.

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Kateryna Dysa on Witch Trials, Imperial Narratives, and Kyiv in Western Eyes 16:48

6M ago16:48

16:48

Were witches in medieval Ukraine prosecuted in the same way as in Western Europe? How did Russian imperial interests shape Kyiv’s international image between the late eighteenth and the early twentieth century, and did Western travelers accept or challenge these portrayals of the city? In this episode of Studio Central Europe, Kateryna Dysa, a hist…

1
#105 - Prof. Jeroen Warner 57:33

6M ago57:33

57:33

Dr. Jeroen Warner from Wageningen University discusses the complexities of transboundary water governance, highlighting how international frameworks like the UN Watercourses Convention offer principles for cooperation but often lack enforcement. Using examples like the Nile Basin, he explains how power dynamics between upstream and downstream natio…

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Ketevan Gurchiani: How urban infrastructure reflects belief systems and the Soviet Legacy in Georgian Religious Practices 20:40

6M ago20:40

20:40

In this podcast, Albena Shkodrova, a historian at KU Leuven, speaks with Ketevan Gurchiani, a Georgian anthropologist from Ilia University in Tbilisi, about the concept of the city as an urban assemblage. Gurchiani shares her research insights into how the Soviet-era legacy of "camouflaging" and "doing as if" shapes contemporary religious practices…

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Monumental Choices: Memory, Security, and Community in Estonia 19:43

6M ago19:43

19:43

In this episode, host Maryna Shevtsova, senior FWO researcher at KU Leuven, sits down with Alexandra Yatsyk, a researcher at the University of Lille, to explore the complex intersections of history, identity, and politics in Estonia’s public spaces. Since the start of Russia's war in Ukraine in 2022, Soviet-era monuments in Estonia have come under …

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After the After: (Re)imagining Holocaust Testimonies as Poetry 40:21

6M ago40:21

40:21

This podcast features a lecture by Piotr Florczyk, poet, essayist, translator, and professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, on the poetry of witness. This form of poetic expression testifies to extreme historical and social events—war, political persecution, exile, and even the horrors of torture and censorship. In his talk, delivered …

1
Lien Verpoest on how Russia's war in Ukraine raises the significance of heritage, fuelling both its destruction and reconstruction 20:00

6M ago20:00

20:00

In this episode, Lien Verpoest, professor of Eastern European and diplomatic history at KU Leuven, examines why heritage has become a central issue in Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. This topic recently took center stage at an international conference in Leuven, where representatives from 15 universities worldwide gathered to discuss EU heritage d…

1
Mirja Lecke on Russian Imperial Literature, Odesa’s Cosmopolitan Legacy, and Regensburg’s Unique Slavic and East European Studies Program 19:44

6M ago19:44

19:44

In this episode, Kris Van Heuckelom, Professor at KU Leuven, interviews Mirja Lecke, Chair of Slavic Literatures and Cultures at the University of Regensburg in Germany. They discuss Russian imperial literature’s portrayal of colonized territories like Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, and Ukraine—called "Western territories" to obscure their non-Russian…

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18. Lift As You Climb - A Talk With Ryan Tabrah (Intel Corporation) & Donna Donnelly (NXP Semiconductors) 28:15

6M ago28:15

28:15

Listen and get insights about Lift As You Climb in this talk with Ryan Tabrah (Vice President & General Manager of Xeon and Compute Products at Intel Corporation), and Donna Donnelly (OEM Account Director at NXP Semiconductors). In this episode we talk about Lift As You Climb - a philosophy that emphasizes helping others as you achieve success in y…

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A War for Europe’s Soul: Revisiting Carl Schmitt in the Age of Ukraine 22:37

7M ago22:37

22:37

Stefan Auer, Professor of European Studies at the University of Hong Kong, and Martin Kohlrausch, Professor of European Political History at KU Leuven, discuss the systemic obstacles that prevent the European Union from responding effectively to the war in Ukraine. In this intriguing, if not entirely optimistic conversation, the two academics exami…

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Małgorzata Jędrzejczyk on Poland's Avant-Garde and its Place in 20th-Century Europe 20:00:00

7M ago20:00:00

20:00:00

Art historian and curator Małgorzata Jędrzejczyk delves into the lesser-known history of the Polish avant-garde in a conversation with Martin Kohlrausch, professor of Modern European Political History at KU Leuven. Together, they explore how Poland's intellectual and artistic elite perceived their place on the European map during the 20th century. …

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Przemysław Czapliński on Polish Culture of the 1970s 1:11:00

7M ago1:11:00

1:11:00

In this podcast Przemysław Czapliński, a distinguished Professor of Polish Literature and author of numerous award-winning works, explores in a highly engaging way how the economic, political, and cultural crises of the 1970s shaped Polish prose. He focuses on writers Jerzy Andrzejewski, Tadeusz Konwicki, Marek Nowakowski and Kazimierz Brandys, exa…

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Heleen Touquet on the challenges to research sexual violence against men 20:30

8M ago20:30

20:30

In this podcast, Olivera Simic interviews Heleen Touquet, one of the few researchers studying sexual violence against men in armed conflicts. Touquet, an associate professor at the University of Antwerp and an affiliated researcher at KU Leuven, has focused her work on the Western Balkans. In the interview, she discusses the taboo surrounding sexua…

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17. How to Tap into Your Potential - A Talk With Joanna Bloor (The Amplify Lab) 18:16

8M ago18:16

18:16

Listen and get insights about How To Tap into Your Potential in this talk with Joanna Bloor (CEO, Founder - The Amplify Lab). We talk about: Joanna's inspiration for her Book 'Tales of Potential - The Cinderella Story You Haven't Heard'; Exploring the Concept of Now, Near, and Future Thinking; Cinderella's Story - A Tale of Ambition and Power; The …

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#104 - Prof. Jesse Nippert 1:01:00

9M ago1:01:00

1:01:00

Professor Jesse Nippert discussed how these adaptations, like enzyme activity and water transport, influence how plants, especially woody species, dominate during droughts. The conversation also revealed that afforestation isn't always straightforward and can sometimes negatively impact the climate. Finally, it highlighted the importance of underst…

1
#103 - Prof. Wim Thiery 53:10

9M ago53:10

53:10

Professor Wim Thiery discusses the critical impact of climate change on water resources, particularly in Africa. We explore how climate extremes like droughts and floods, combined with changes in land cover, are reshaping water availability. Professor Thiery emphasizes the need for both global climate action and smart local water management to addr…

1
#102 - Michael Larsen: EnviroNor 56:40

9M ago56:40

56:40

Michael A. Larsen, CEO of EnviroNor, discusses their floating desalination vessels—old ships turned into mobile water treatment plants. These vessels can produce up to 10,000 cubic meters of drinking water per hour. Unlike traditional plants, they can move to the best locations, saving energy and minimizing environmental impact. Their mobility also…

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#101 - Quantum Wei: Harmony desalting 57:05

10M ago57:05

57:05

Quantum Wei, founder of Harmony Desalting, explained their Batch Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology, which dynamically adjusts pressure to save energy. Using conventional membranes and a unique bladder system, Batch RO handles fluctuating salinity and pressure, making it more efficient and resilient against fouling and scaling. At the Yuma Desalting P…

1
#100 - Mark Ralph: Axine Water Technologies 57:32

10M ago57:32

57:32

Mark Ralph, CEO of Axine Water Technologies, explains how their method enhances conventional electrochemical oxidation by using multiple catalysts in a single reactor to break down tough contaminants like PFAS and pharmaceuticals. Their treatment-as-a-service (TAAS) model provides a complete package, including installation, operation, and maintenan…

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#99 - Pablo Cassorla: Remote Waters 59:02

10M ago59:02

59:02

Pablo Cassorla, founder and CEO of Remote Waters, shared how his team is developing decentralized desalination systems by examining around 400 components and redesigning the system with software. This innovation enables rural communities to access fresh water using renewable energy at an affordable cost.…

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#98 - Akash Singh: Urbanblue Technologies 1:01:43

10M ago1:01:43

1:01:43

Akash Singh, co-founder of Urbanblue Technologies, addresses the inefficiencies of traditional wastewater treatment sensors by using real-time imaging and AI. Their system continuously samples water, captures high-resolution images of microorganisms, and uses AI to provide immediate recommendations for improving water quality. This approach, which …

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#97 - Sreenath Bolisetty: BluAct Technologies 1:01:28

10M ago1:01:28

1:01:28

Sreenath Bolisetty, CTO and Co-founder of BluAct Technologies, explains how protein nanofibers can effectively remove heavy metals and radioactive pollutants from water. These nanofibers, made from whey protein, have a high surface area and binding sites that adsorb multiple metal ions and pollutants. Integrated into activated carbon, they efficien…

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#96 - Karthik Kunjali: Stockholm Water Technology 52:00

11M ago52:00

52:00

Karthik Kunjali, Co-founder & CEO at Stockholm Water Technology (SWT), discusses how their CDI technology stands out from reverse osmosis by attracting and removing contaminants, making it ideal for low-salinity applications and specific pollutant removal like heavy metals and nutrients. This method is energy-efficient and customizable, perfect for…

1
#95 - Prof. Larry Mayer 57:45

11M ago57:45

57:45

Rhea and I hosted Professor Larry Mayer, Director of the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping at the University of New Hampshire. He discussed the latest advancements in ocean floor mapping, utilizing sophisticated sonar technology to provide essential data on ocean currents and salinity, crucial components of the global water cycle. Comprehensive …

1
Antonio Chemotti and David Burn on the Joy of Medieval Music Research in Central Europe 19:00

11M ago19:00

19:00

In this episode of Studio FCEE, Paul Kolb of the Alamire Music Research Foundation interviews two of KU Leuven's top musicologists. David Burn, head of the Early Music Research Group at KU Leuven, and Assistant Professor Antonio Chemotti discuss their passion for medieval music in Central Europe. They share their excitement about studying music boo…

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Sabina Tanovic and Ilir Gashi on commemorations and post-war memories in the former Yugoslavia 48:45

11M ago48:45

48:45

In this podcast, Peter Vermeersch of KU Leuven talks with architect and scholar Sabina Tanović and awarded activist and storyteller Ilir Gashi how the painful memories of the 1990s Yugoslav wars are used in contemporary commemorations, what are their meanings and uses in today's Balkan societies. Dr. Sabina Tanović is an architect and researcher sp…

1
#94 - Prof. Martin Truffer 1:00:30

11M ago1:00:30

1:00:30

My co-host Rhea Verbeke and I welcomed Professor Martin Truffer, a distinguished glaciologist, who highlighted the critical role glaciers play in maintaining stable water supplies. We explored the alarming rate of glacier retreat due to climate change, noting that while some glaciers may be beyond saving, others can still be preserved if we act qui…

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#93 - Prof. Stephan Pfister 56:49

11M ago56:49

56:49

Professor Stephan Pfister from ETH Zurich focuses on integrating water scarcity into life cycle assessments (LCA) to guide sustainable resource management. His research examines the trade-offs between water use, land use, and biodiversity, offering insights for improved environmental policies. Additionally, Professor Pfister highlights the need for…

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16. Data Science & Presentation Skills - A Talk With Margot Gerritsen (Women in Data Science Worldwide & Stanford University) 30:10

11M ago30:10

30:10

Listen and get insights into Data Science & Presentation Skills in this talk with Margot Gerritsen, (Founder & Former Executive Director Women in Data Science (WiDS) Worldwide, and Professor [Emerita] Stanford University). We talk about: presentation framing and motivation; understanding your audience and the 2 - 3 messages you want them to remembe…

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Anna Karpenko on how avant-garde artists who defied state borders are subjected to appropriation attempts 20:25

12M ago20:25

20:25

In this interview, KU Leuven history professor Martin Kohlrausch speaks with independent curator Anna Karpenko about the avant-garde movement between the East and the West. They discuss how avant-garde artists and architects endeavored to transcend borders and how their legacy is now subject to appropriation attempts, particularly in the post-Sovie…

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#92 - Prof. Radha Boya 55:43

12M ago55:43

55:43

Atomically Precise Membranes by Professor Radha Boya at the The University of Manchester, is pioneering the development of atomically thin membranes using graphene and other two-dimensional materials. These angstrom-scale channels enable highly selective ion and molecule separation, greatly enhancing water desalination efficiency. Her work focuses …

1
#91 - Prof. Kim Trevathan 55:25

12M ago55:25

55:25

Professor Kim Trevathan narrates his personal journey paddling the Tennessee River, reflecting on environmental changes observed over two decades. His narrative wove together personal anecdotes with environmental insights, illustrating how human interventions like damming have altered river ecosystems. Kim’s stories highlight the importance of dire…

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Olivera Simic on the experience of interviewing war criminals and victims 21:00:00

12M ago21:00:00

21:00:00

Olivera Simic, an associate professor at Griffith University in Australia, discusses war criminals in the Balkans who escape justice and live undisturbed lives in neighboring countries. She also delves into her decision to write an entire book about Biljana Plavšić, the former President of Republika Srpska, who was later convicted of crimes against…

1
#90 - Prof. Menachem Elimelech 49:18

12M ago49:18

49:18

In our today’s podcast episode, Rhea and I have welcomed Sterling Professor Menachem Elimelech from Yale University. He discussed the challenges and advancements in seawater desalination, emphasizing that significant gains lie in optimizing system design and using real-time monitoring and sensor technologies rather than focusing solely on new membr…

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#89 - Carlos García Blázquez: GENAQ 1:03:55

1y ago1:03:55

1:03:55

In a podcast episode, Carlos Garcia from Genaq details their advanced technology for extracting water from the air. He explains that their machines are designed to efficiently handle variable power inputs from renewable sources like solar panels, eliminating the need for costly batteries and inverters. This significantly reduces both initial invest…

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Amra Sabić-El-Rayess on the importance of storytelling and how war experience can help resilience to hatred 27:33

1y ago27:33

27:33

Can the experience of genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina help prevent radicalization of schoolchildren as far as the United States? According to Amra Sabić-El-Rayess, a writer and associated professor at the Columbia university, it can. For it shows that the very origin of hatred and radicalization is not some inherent badness in people, but their …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

KU Leuven Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen