The new documentary series Knappe heads will start on VRT 1 from November 20. In four episodes, it highlights scientific innovation at Flemish universities and the scientists behind it. Weather woman Jacotte Brokken presents the series. “I think it’s fantastic to be able to introduce these researchers to the viewers,” she says. “And not just the research, but also the people behind it.”
The history of Knappe cephalen is controversial. The program led to a revolt within the public broadcaster, because it was allegedly tailor-made for the previous Flemish government. Clever minds would fit in nicely with Flanders Technology & Innovation (FTI), which had to put Flemish innovation on the map, including through a large innovation festival last spring. It was the showpiece of then Prime Minister Jan Jambon (N-VA).
“Convincing the Flemish”
There is no longer any reference to FTI in the communication that VRT sent out this week, but De Standaard has internal documents in which the program is expressly linked to FTI. In that document, FTI’s mission statement is even printed above the intended design of Knappe cephalen (the title is already there).
According to the document, the VRT intends to support FTI with Clever Minds through a “three-track approach”. This consists of “informing: making the Flemish understand and pointing out both major benefits and possible challenges”, “creating support: convincing and motivating the Flemish to embrace and use technology”, and finally “providing service: familiarizing them with the technological world that is constantly changing.”
It led to a revolt within the VRT, because people who had to make the program believed that they had to develop a ready-made assignment tailored to the policy of the Flemish government. They refused, forcing a new production team to be assembled.
What made them even more excited was the aim to broadcast the series before the June elections. Something that both the VRT and the Jambon cabinet strongly denied. But the internal VRT document states under “intended timing” that it should go on air “April/May 2024”. That deadline ultimately proved unattainable.
Flemish money in exchange
Originally there was also Flemish money in return. Both VRT and the cabinet denied that formal agreements had been made, but De Standaard learned from internal documents that the broadcaster had indeed booked 712,294 euros in subsidies under the heading “FTI project subsidy”. Insiders at the broadcaster already indicated that such a booking only happens when VRT is almost certain that the money will be made available.
However, the project became contaminated. After De Standaard brought the internal controversy to light, Knappe cephalen even became the subject of critical questions in the Flemish Parliament. Ultimately, the Flemish government did not come up with the money. Jambon’s spokesperson then stated that the VRT “may have gotten rich too quickly”. The public broadcaster said it would nevertheless continue.
Clever heads starts on November 20, and starts with Sofie Claerhout van de Kulak and her Y-chromosomal relationship research. UA professor Sébastien Anguille then discusses CAR-T cell therapy. Then it is up to Tom Vanden Berghe and Wim Vanden Berghe from the University of Antwerp about “biological rust”. Finally, it is up to VUB professors Serge Muyldermans and Raymond Hamers (deceased in 2021), about nanobodies.
