On Monday, 8 July, around a hundred engaged professionals, researchers, and policymakers gathered in the circular heart of Rotterdam: BlueCity. The central question of the Healthy Start in the City event was clear: how can we, through science, policy, and practice, work together to ensure a healthy and equitable start for all children growing up in urban environments? And just as important: how do we ensure that science truly works for society?

It was an afternoon full of inspiration, critical reflection, and meaningful connections. From groundbreaking research to honest conversations about the gaps in collaboration between knowledge and practice. Below is a short reflection on the contributions of our speakers.

Yvonne van Duijnhoven – GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond

Yvonne opened the afternoon with a powerful keynote on the need for strong collaboration between science, policy, and practice. She emphasized that knowledge must flow in order to create impact and reach the people who need it most — and that we must actively protect this knowledge from misinformation.

Using a strong example of ‘Betekenisvol Datagebruik voor een Kansrijke Start’, she illustrated what a well-functioning triangle between science, practice, and policy can look like. She also pointed to a major challenge: how do we truly reach people in vulnerable situations? According to Yvonne, mental well-being plays a crucial role here, and public health organizations like the GGD have an important, proactive role to play.

Janna Cousijn – Erasmus University Rotterdam

Janna offered an important and sometimes confronting perspective on the societal normalization of cannabis use. She warned against the flood of positive and uncritical information online and emphasized the responsibility of scientists to provide the public with reliable and evidence-based knowledge.

In her presentation, she discussed her international research into the “two faces” of cannabis — exploring both its potential benefits and its risks across various populations and cultures. Her key message: cannabis use has proven effects on adolescent development, and that demands a well-informed and realistic approach from both policy and practice.

David Abbink – TU Delft

David took us into the world of robotics, the future of work, and the urgent need to develop new technologies with and within practice. He stressed that real solutions can only be found through a transdisciplinary approach — combining different scientific perspectives while listening closely to the realities and needs of the field.

He also advocated for more space for early-career researchers to take alternative paths: “We need to create environments where they are supported to do research differently — interdisciplinary, hands-on, and future-driven.”

Romy Gaillard – Erasmus MC

Romy shared impressive research highlighting just how critical the earliest phase of life is — even before conception. The lifestyle and circumstances of both parents (including fathers) have demonstrable effects on birth outcomes and long-term child health.

Thanks to her innovative research methods, Romy is able to collect data very early in pregnancy. These insights shed light on both the opportunities and vulnerabilities present in this foundational phase of life — and they open the door to prevention that starts truly early.

Panel Discussion – The Role of Knowledge Institutions in Societal Impact

The event closed with a thought-provoking panel in which three academic leaders explored how universities and research institutions can (and should) play a role in societal change:

• Stefan Sleijfer (Erasmus MC) made it clear that academic hospitals cannot afford to focus solely on highly specialized care. “We must ask ourselves: how far should we go in tackling societal challenges — and where do our responsibilities end? That’s a hard but essential conversation.”
• Marjolijn Antheunis (Erasmus University) called for more attention to social innovations, which often stall in early development. She stated: “We don’t need more research, we need better research — including the courage to keep working on imperfect innovations, so we don’t keep repeating the same mistakes.”
• JC Diehl (TU Delft) closed with a strong plea for embedding technology into society and care settings: “Technology needs to immerse itself in the environments it hopes to improve. Only then will it become truly meaningful.”

More than Words

Beyond the keynotes and panel, much happened in the conversations over coffee and during informal exchanges. There was laughter, listening, and the spark of new collaborations. Healthy Start in the City showed the power of bringing together people from different disciplines around a shared mission.

On behalf of the entire Healthy Start team: thank you to everyone who joined us. We look forward to what comes next!