Research

Through our research, we work towards a fundamental understanding of the world and people around us. We use that knowledge to make the world a safe, healthy, sustainable, prosperous and just place.

Society is facing complex issues, such as the climate crisis, wars, food shortages and increasing numbers of displaced people. As a broad-based university, it is our strength to help find solutions to such issues. Because to get to grips with complex problems we need insights from different perspectives and to transcend disciplines. Science and innovation cannot exist without each other, and our research also inspires our teaching. Through these cross-pollinations, we shape our mission from society.

Leiden University is an international, broad-based university. Our academics conduct research in five broad clusters: Fundamentals of Science; Life Sciences; Health and Well-being; Law, Politics and Administration; Languages Cultures, Arts and Societies; and the cross-cutting topic of Artificial Intelligence.