UGoveRN Secret Santa 2021

As part of UGoveRN’s aim to foster new relationships and strengthen existing ones, the network hosted its first online Secret Santa in mid-December with members joining from the Netherlands, United States, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates!

We dressed up in funky Christmas sweaters and hats to open our gifts – which included fun socks, kitchenware, chocolate, agendas, face masks, books, mugs, to even a tree – and revealed our mystery Secret Santa over hot chocolate, tea, or wine depending on the time zone.

It was pretty obvious from our New Years' resolutions and Christmas gifts that self-care was of utmost priority, alongside learning Dutch and focusing on personal and professional development.

As for UGoveRN, in 2022, the aim is to grow its global network of researchers, academics, and industry professionals within the field of urban governance and further support early-career scholars through the network’s activities.