SIG Healthy Future
At the University of Amsterdam (UvA), we focus on creating a healthy future through innovative education and research. Our goal is to equip students and professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to sustainable and healthier societies. Within the Healthy Future theme, we emphasize fostering interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration to address complex health challenges and develop sustainable solutions.
As part of this mission, the Special Interest Group (SIG) Healthy Future Education is a platform for lecturers, researchers and other interested parties to exchange knowledge and experiences about education, organised by the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies (IIS). In the SIG we ask ourselves, what role can we, as university educators, play in understanding and addressing Healthy Future issues with and by our students? The SIG supports the development of grant proposals and grant receivers are invited to participate in the SIG to support other educators.
Apply for a grant
Do you aim to contribute to a healthy society through your teaching? Would you like more time to work with students and colleagues to better understand and respond to major transitions in today’s world in your education? To develop yourself as an innovative educator, and (co-)create more vitalising, inclusive or agency-enhancing learning with and for students? Apply now for this Healthy Future Education grant opportunity organised by the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies. This grant can give you the time and space to develop and co-create a teaching innovation project related to Healthy Future themes. Your proposed project can focus on innovating the content, pedagogy or design of an existing course, or design a new course. You can apply between 1 November 2025 and 30 January 2026.
Healthy Future examples
This video was made by students as part of the 'design a transformative intervention in health' assignment in the 2024 honours course What the Health?!!
In October 2025, we had a very interesting morning at the Smarthouse at ROC West. They offer experience-based learning for MBO nursing students. One of the tools they use is a geriatric suit (weighted clothing, joint stiffeners, neck stiffener, Parkinson's gloves, vision and hearing impairments) that allows students to experience what it feels like to be old.
Join the Healthy Future SIG
At our monthly (online) meetings, we discuss examples of Healthy Future education, grants, and other development opportunities.
You can join the SIG by contacting Dr. Tjerk Jan Schuitmaker-Warnaar (T.J.Schuitmaker@uva.nl). This will keep you informed about the latest developments, events, and collaboration opportunities.
Read more about Healthy Future Education at the UvA via this link.