Our name means Current History. Although it might seem contradictory, this is the core idea that drives our initiative — acknowledging past contexts to understand present strategies, policies, and narratives.
Today history only serves as a tool for narrative legitimization. Our goal is to change this status quo and make it a central tool to critically analyze current events and inform future national and international developments.
To do so, we bridge tomorrow’s actors — students and young professionals — with current actors and institutions through debates, expert talks, podcasts, publications and magazines where past, present and future developments are studied.
With this mission, GA! aims to foster a more informed, analytical, and engaged society that uses Applied History to shape better policies, governance, and public discourse.
Our own history
History in action, not only in archives
In octobre 2023, Hugo Abrial was missing a place where students could meet, share their views and debate with professionals on historical developments, using them as a tool to analyze current and future developments. He contacted his fellow student Jelle Timmermans and thus, GA! was born. One year later, Christophe van der Kwast joined the initiative to help the founders structure and expand GA!.
Since November 2024, Geschiedenis Actueel is led by teams of student recruited from different Universities, but mostly from Utrecht University. This restructuration made possible a rapid and solid growth in GA!’s outreach and activities. As the only student-led ThinkTank working on International Relations and History in the whole Benelux, we have become an incubator for students and young professionals seeking valuable experience on the job market.
This unique position allows us to collaborate with leading actors and institutions such as the Ministry of the Interior, Clingendael and HCSS.
Publish & amplify
Students and young researchers publish their own work and grow their voice with real audiences.
We publish magazine issues, analytical reports, and online articles — all written and edited by students. Your work reaches historians, policy-makers, and curious minds beyond the lecture hall.
Learn more
Learn by doing
Work with peers and partners on real briefs and debates. Outcomes over titles — skill, not status.
Join a committee, co-author a report, moderate a debate. GA! is structured around doing, not just studying — every member ships something real.
Learn more
Make it heard
Join the magazine, podcasts, and events — turn research into formats people actually engage with.
From our GA! Insights podcast series to expert talk events and symposia, we transform academic work into public conversations that matter beyond university walls.
Learn more
Collaborate & connect
Partner with universities, ministries, and peers to create impact together. GA! thrives on collaboration and exchange.
We’ve worked with Clingendael, HCSS, the Ministry of Interior, Utrecht University, and international student associations. Your network grows every project.
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