Invitation – PhD Defense of Vanessa Englert
Friday, 3 July 2026 · 09:45 · Aula, VU Amsterdam
The Chair of Hindu Spirituality & Society at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam warmly invites the OMRISE community to the public doctoral defense of Vanessa Carina Maria Englert.
Rooted in the work of the Chair of Hindu Spirituality & Society, her research studied Hindu spiritual organizations to understand how collective spirituality is lived and organized in practice — drawing on the Hindu understanding of interconnectedness, that persons, communities and organizations are expressions of one larger whole (vasudhaiva kutumbakam, the world as one family). In keeping with this spirit, the ceremony will include a reading from the Bhagavad Gītā alongside the VU’s traditional Scripture reading.
A PhD defense at the VU is a centuries-old public ceremony: the candidate presents her research in a short layman’s talk, then defends it before a committee of scholars — concluded by the beadle’s traditional call of “Hora est!” All are welcome.
Practical information
- When: Friday, 3 July 2026, 09:45 sharp. Please be seated by 09:30; doors close when the academic procession enters.
- Where: Aula, VU Main Building, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam. From the main entrance, stairs on the right to the foyer, then left up to the Aula.
- Public transport: 10-minute walk from Station Amsterdam Zuid; Metro 51/52, Tram 24, or Bus 198 to De Boelelaan/VU.
- Parking: Garage P3 VU Campus, entrance via Van der Boechorststraat (parkerenbijvu.nl). By car: A10, exit S108 Zuid/Amstelveen.
- Live stream: Unable to attend? Watch live at youtube.com/VUBeadlesOffice. The stream is live only and not saved afterwards.
We look forward to celebrating with you.
Pursue PhD research with us: interested in doctoral research on Hindu spirituality, organization and society? Find the Graduate School of Religion and Theology’s procedure at How to apply and Doing your PhD step by step.
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