Chris Nierstrasz – Trip to Leiden 3-7 June 2011- Validotory lecture of Professor Leonard Blussé. This was a great opportunity for me to network with all the top academics on the Dutch East India Company. People like Professor Jaap Bruijn, Professor Femme Gaastra, Professor Jos Gommans, Dr. Hugo s’Jacob, Dr. Lodewijk Wagenaar. Apart from the ceremony this included a drink and a diner. Of course, I used the rest of my time to visit the archives and excellent library of the University of Leiden, I also met up with people of the university of Leiden to talk about possible collaboration on conferences.