Mindblowers: where art and science meet

Caroline Pauwels is philosopher, communication scientist and rector of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Until her election as rector, she was the director of SMIT, a research centre specialising in the study of information and communication technologies. She has a PhD in communication sciences and an MA in philosophy. Michael De Cock, artistic director of KVS, is an author, actor and director, amongst many other titles. He has been setting out the artistic policy at KVS since the 2016-2017 season. He has around twenty publications to his name and regularly contributes articles in Belgian media. Lynn Tytgat is coordinator of weKONEKT.brussels and works together closely with the art scene and the diplomatic world to enforce the synergies between education, science and art. She obtained her MA degrees in Literature and Theater Studies and International and European Law at the VUB. Lynn built her diplomatic and international career in New York, Paris and Brussels, where she amongst others worked for UNESCO, United Nations University and the Permanent Representation of Belgium at the United Nations. Today, she works for Rector Caroline Pauwels and the Strategy and Policy Unit of the VUB. Catherine Vervaecke has an MA in modern history and in journalism, but ultimately chose for a career in theater. Since 2011, she has been working at KVS. Initially as lighting technician, followed by stage master, head of production and daily coordination. Since the first Mindblowers edition in 2017, Catherine has been in charge of its production. The authors are: Mesut Alp, Mesut Arslan, Anissa Boujdaini, Thierry Boutemy, Karen Celis, Amira Daoudi, Free De Backer & Peter de Cupere, Benjamin De Cleen, Fredo De Smet, Laurent de Sutter, Niels De Temmerman, Luc De Vuyst, Niels de Winter, Wim Distelmans, Sukina Douglas, Hala El Moussawi, Pieter & Johannes Genard, Vincent Ginis, Fredrik Hildebrand, Mireille Hildebrandt, Pepijn Kennis, Rachida Lamrabet, Iman Lechkar, Les Mybale´s, Fien Leysen, Michel Maus, Pieter Meurs, Moya Michael, Yassin Mraftibi, Ana Naqe, Carme Portaceli, Frank Scheelings, Ilse Smolders, Jean Paul Van Bendegem, Jeroen Van Herzeele, Wim Vandekeybus, Koen Vanmechelen, Ellen Vermeulen, Pitcho Womba Konga