Speaker & Host

Bas Haring

Bas Haring is a popular philosopher who makes science and philosophy accessible to a broad audience. His fresh, jargon-free approach inspires both laypeople and scientists. In his lectures, he challenges his audience to look at the world around them in new ways, deepening their understanding of science and society.

Rate indication: Price on request
Available for booking as: Day chairman Interviewer Presenter Panelist Speaker
Languages: Dutch English

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Bas Haring sees himself as a “popular philosopher,” aiming to explain science and philosophy in a fresh, accessible way that everyone can understand. His work speaks to a broad audience, inspiring laypeople and even scientists with its clarity and originality. His primary goal is to help people better understand the world around them. At Leiden University, he is a special professor of “public understanding of science” and founder of the master’s program “Media Technology” for creative science.

Golden Owl

In 2001, his (children’s) book Kaas en de evolutietheorie earned him a Golden Owl award. Other books followed, including De ijzeren wil (2003), Voor een echt succesvol leven (2007), and Plastic panda’s (2011). In 2016, his book Waarom cola duurder is dan melk explored economic principles in a humorous way. On television, Bas has appeared in programs such as Stof and Haring, serves on the panel of Proefkonijnen, and works as a presenter for RVU. He also contributes as a commentator on the NCRV program Altijd Wat, sharing his perspective on the stories covered.

Proefkonijnen

Following the show Proefkonijnen, he released Doe dit vooral thuis in early 2014, encouraging readers to question science and explore it for themselves. Currently, Bas is broadening his focus with a book on economics.

As a scientist, Bas is exceptional in his ability to engage a wide audience. He combines theory with practical, everyday examples to help readers form a clear understanding. He strips science of its vague layers to reveal its essence, making his thinking both inspiring and educational. As a speaker, he always gives his presentations a surprising twist, captivating audiences and encouraging them to reflect on his ideas.

Ambition

“I give lectures regularly, and they are never standard stories—I always come up with something new on a variety of topics. My ambition is to show people different ways to look at things. I hope that after a lecture, people think, ‘Hmm… interesting. I need to reflect on this.’ Ultimately, I want to make people think for themselves. I don’t use PowerPoint or slides, only occasionally a short video.”

Themes

Sessions

In addition to being a speaker, Bas is available as a host for your event. He guides the day, contributing to the program from his unique perspective and engaging fully with the content.

As a scientist, Bas is exceptional in his ability to engage a broad audience. He alternates theory with practical, everyday examples that help the audience form a clear understanding. Bas strips science of its vague layers, getting to its essence, and makes it accessible to everyone. This approach makes his thinking both inspiring and educational. As a speaker, he always adds a surprising twist to his presentations, keeping audiences captivated and encouraging them to reflect on his perspective.

“I give lectures regularly. They are never standard stories—I always come up with something new on a variety of topics. My ambition is to show people different ways to look at things. I hope that after a lecture, people think, ‘Hmm… interesting. I need to reflect on this.’ Ultimately, I want to make people think for themselves. I don’t use PowerPoint or slides, only occasionally a short video.”

Topics he can speak on include artificial intelligence and the question of whether robots will make us redundant, the role of storytelling in our “visual society,” questions about sustainability, the purpose of education, the future of banks and insurers, identity, and the art of measurement and knowledge.