What makes a good political humour scandal? Why does what we find funny change over time? And what is the state of jokes today?

In the final episode of In a Nutshell’s first season, we take a look at jokes, politics, and how the combination of both can (and has) lead to historic scandals. With the help of assistant professor and comedy critic Ivo Nieuwenhuis, we detangle modern humour – and look for an answer to the question of what the jokes that make the headlines (and that make us laugh) say about us.

Ivo Nieuwenhuis is a researcher of Dutch literature with a strong interest in political humour scandals. Next to his work at the Faculty of Arts, Ivo also works as a comedy critic for the Dutch newspaper Trouw.

Would you like to learn more about humour and the scandals that come with it? Then follow Ivo’s tips and have a look at his book, Het was maar een grapje: Nederland in tien humorschandalen (in Dutch), this video clip about why humour is not as innocent as one might think (in Dutch), and this podcast, where Ivo talks more in-depth about his research (in English).

Edit: Jara Majerus

Cover: Antonia Leise

What is the history of Dutch slavery? Where can we see the impacts of Dutch slavery today? And how can a day like Ketikoti lead to a more inclusive society?

In the nineteenth episode of In a Nutshell, we delve into past realities and present traces of Dutch slavery. Together with this week’s guest, Coen van Galen, we will remember the histories of enslaved people, reflect on how the Dutch are dealing with their historic role in slavery today, and find traces of slavery on the train tracks between Arnhem and Nijmegen.

Coen van Galen is an associate professor at the Department of History, Art History and Classics. Furthermore, Coen is the program manager of the Historical Data Base of Suriname and the Caribbean and played a crucial role in publishing the slave registers of Suriname and Curaçao.

Do you want to know more about the history of Dutch slavery? Follow Coen’s tip and read “We Slaves Of Suriname” by Anton de Kom.

Edit: Jara Majerus Cover: Antonia Leise

How can a website collect your password – even before you hit the sign-up button? Does a VPN help against being tracked online? And why is tracking users actually such an issue?

In the eighteenth episode of In a Nutshell, we will take a deep dive into cyber security – and all the things that make the internet a not-so-safe space when it comes to data protection. Together with this week’s guest, Güneş Acar, we will figure out how users can attempt to stay safe when it comes to their data online, and why this can be so difficult.

Güneş Acar is an assistant professor for Digital Security at the Faculty of Science and is associated with the iHub (Interdisciplinary Hub for Digitization and Society) at Radboud University. He researches security and privacy threats from, amongst other things, websites and mobile apps, and is a specialist on online tracking.

Would you like to learn more about how to stay safe online? Then follow Güneş’ recommendations and have a look at the YouTube video on how dark patterns trick you online, the investigative report Twelve Million Phones, One Data Set, Zero Privacy by the New York Times, or a Wired article on Gunes’ own research how websites collect your information before you have even signed up to them.

Edit: Jara Majerus

Cover: Antonia Leise

Why do we need to change our outlook on video games? How can gaming help young people to quit smoking? And what role can technology play in mental health care globally?

In the seventeenth episode of In a Nutshell, we delve into the world of mental health games. Together with this week’s guest Suhaavi Kochhar, we will debunk the stereotype of gaming, explore the benefits video games can have on our psyche, and learn more about how technology could help us bridge the global mental health gap.

Suhaavi Kochhar is a PhD candidate in the Behavioural Science Institute at Radboud University. In her research, she focuses on intervention science and how it can play a supportive role in the treatment of addiction.

Do you want to know more about the mental health games? Follow Suhaavi’s tip and check out these videos telling you more about mental health games.

Why games could work for mental health and youth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDBrm1qClEU.

Insights into the research behind Suhaavi's project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy1XZTPlFOQ&list=PLQ-Z1-dXp0816THsuBWyGwBAjqurzuoId.

Edit: Jara Majerus

Cover: Antonia Leise

This month, In a Nutshell presents something different: a two-part series focussing on the subject of Palestine. We offer the microphone to researchers who tell us about their perspectives and knowledge on the topic in its broadest sense. This week’s guest, Sally Thin, will untangle the genocide case against Israel.

How can a country be tried for genocide? What are the limits of international law? And what happens if a state is found responsible for genocide by the International Court of Justice? In this episode, Sally (Sarah) Thin will tackle the complicated topic of international law and South Africa’s ongoing genocide case against Israel.

Sally Thin is an assistant professor in International and European Law. She is a member of the Research Centre for State and Law (SteR) and the current managing editor of the Hague Yearbook of International Law. In the past, Sally has also been a volunteer for several human rights and environmental organisations, including Fossielvrij NL and Amnesty International.

Would you like to know more about this topic? Follow Sally’s tip and have a listen to the Asser Institute podcast JurisDictions.

Edit: Jara Majerus

Cover: Antonia Leise

This month, In a Nutshell presents something different: a two-part series focussing on the subject of Palestine. We offer the microphone to researchers who tell us about their perspectives and knowledge on the topic in its broadest sense. Seeing that this is a big topic, we provide explanations for some key terms below.

This week’s guest, Noura, will look at Palestine through a settler colonial lens: What is settler colonialism? How does it work? And how does it affect Palestinians today? Noura will navigate us through these questions and share her academic, as well as her personal insights with us.

Noura is an Assistant professor of Human Geography at the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment. Settler colonialism in Palestine is one of her fields of expertise.

Do you want to know more about settler colonialism in Palestine? Follow Noura’s tip and read The Hundred Years' War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi.

Key terms:

Intifada: Intifada is an Arabic word that means ‘shaking off’. In the Palestinian context, it stands for civil uprising against the Israeli oppression and occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The first Intifada happened in the 1980s and the second Intifada in the early 2000s.

Zionism: Zionism is a political ideology and movement originally for the establishment of an exclusive Jewish national state in Palestine. Zionism argues that the only solution to anti-Semitism is the establishment of an independent nation-state for Jewish people through the strengthening and enlargement of the state of Israel.

Edit: Jara Majerus

Cover: Antonia Leise

Does it matter whether Russian athletes compete at the Olympics? Why do transgender athletes ruffle so many feathers when it comes to sports competitions – even in disciplines like darts? And why do countries keep hosting mega-sporting events, even if they lead to massive financial losses?

Sport is at the centre of many political debates. But why? In this week’s episode of In a Nutshell, Antonia talks to PhD candidate Paul Reef about mega-sporting events and the politics behind them. Including discussions about the upcoming Paris Olympics and why some of its security measures might be here to stay.

Paul Reef is a PhD candidate in political and international history at the Faculty of Arts. He is researching the intersection between sport and politics, specifically public protests against the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup. In 2023, he was awarded the Hermesdorf Talent Award for his media appearances on sport politics and his role in the public debate on human rights and international sporting events.

Do you want to learn more about the politics of sport? Then follow Paul’s recommendations for critical journalistic reporting about sporting events, including the platform inside the games, and, if you speak Dutch, the sports reporting of Trouw and NRC. For a more historical perspective on the politics of sport, have a look at Barbara Keys’ book Globalizing Sport.

Edit: Jara Majerus

Cover: Antonia Leise

Why do we need to talk about death? How can we relearn to think of dying differently? And why do music and tattoos help in processing the death of a loved one?

In the thirteenth episode of In a Nutshell, we stare death in the face. Together with this week’s guest, Iline Ceelen, we will explore our perception of death, talk about last parties and walks, and, in the meantime, gain some engaging bits of wisdom about life.

Iline Ceelen is a PhD candidate in Comparative Religious Studies at the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies. She has always pondered life’s greatest mysteries. After exploring the topic of birth through her work as a midwife, she now is facing the topic of death. Iline’s work has taught her valuable insights into life that she passes on to her audience.

Do you want to know more about euthanasia? Follow Iline’s tip and read What Kind of Death by Govert den Hartogh.

Edit: Jara Majerus

Cover: Antonia Leise