SENSE PhD candidates are encouraged to take science beyond academia through the creative outreach framework of the A2 project. This is an example of what an A2 project can look like if you think outside the box.

Bringing together art, imagination and marine science via the A2 project

The A2 is a project focused on societal impact, that SENSE PhD candidates must develop and carry out themselves. But how do you create meaningful impact with your work? Often candidates struggle to find out what they can do with this project, and thinking outside of the box can be difficult, but the results, as the example below shows, A2 projects can be innovative and extraordinary. Read more about this project from the hands of its creators here below!

The Whistle of the Red Teapot – Kelpina’s Expedition to the Marine Microbes

A WIMEK A2 project by artist Henk van Ruitenbeek and PhD candidate Federica R. Schanz (Wageningen University & Research)

Every PhD candidate at WIMEK is encouraged to take science beyond academia through the creative outreach framework of the A2 project. Our A2 endeavor – The Whistle of the Red Teapot – Kelpina’s Expedition to the Marine Microbes – brings together art, imagination, and marine science to invite younger audiences into the fascinating world of ocean life.

A collaboration where Art and Natural Sciences meet

Local Wageningen artist Henk van Ruitenbeek joined forces with PhD candidate Federica R. Schanz from the Wageningen University & Research SEASEEDS project, which includes research on the ecological role of detached cultivated sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) and its associated microbiota in the Dutch North Sea. Henk’s hand-drawn illustrations, rooted in his experience painting from nature, paired seamlessly with Federica’s research on marine ecosystems – forming a shared vision to make scientific insights accessible through storytelling and art.

The story behind Kelpina

Kelpina was born in the Swiss mountains, surrounded by streams that whisper tales of the sea. Carried by Grandma’s red teapot, she journeys downstream toward the Dutch coast, where she discovers the vibrant underwater forests of sugar kelp and encounters Micropia – a hidden universe of marine microbes that support life in the kelp forests. Through Kelpina’s eyes, children (and adults alike) discover how even the tiniest organisms help shape the health of our oceans.

Bringing the story to life

In December 2025, the project premiered in Wageningen at a festive event supported by a local choir and musicians. Together, we shared an exclusive reading accompanied by Henk’s original illustrations, offering guests an early glimpse into Kelpina’s upcoming children’s book adventure. The evening celebrated creativity, science communication, and the joy of collaboration.

Why it matters

This project demonstrates how collaboration between Natural Sciences and Arts can open new pathways for dialogue and imagination. We hope that our experience will inspire other WIMEK PhD candidates to think beyond traditional research outreach and to seek fun collaborations that amplify exchange with the world around them. We invite them to discover novel pathways!

To read more about the A2 PhD impact incubator, click here.