Uploaded November 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Where are the women in history? Writer and researcher Nadine Akkerman investigates the role of women in history. The discoveries she makes paint a very different picture than we know.
Akkerman shows original letters from the 17th century in the National Archives, which she consults for her research. And she visits historian Nathalie Zemon Davis, a great source of inspiration for Akkerman, and Jana Dambrogio.
She researches folding techniques of letters and thus discovered that many female spies worked in the 17th century. Former head of the British intelligence service MI5, lady Stella Rimington, was the model for the character M in the James Bond films. She knows better than anyone what it is like to be a female spy.
Part of 'Big Questions', a series in which science journalist Rob van Hattum takes a journey through science with eight Dutch researchers who are at the top of their field. Their 'big questions' are central. They tell about their heroes, visit special places and talk about the breakthroughs in their field.
Originally broadcasted in September 2020.
VPRO Documentary publishes a new subtitled documentary weekly, investigating current affairs, finance, sustainability, climate change or politics. Subscribe to our channel, and we will be delighted to share our adventures with you!
This Channel is part of VPRO broadcast. Make sure to visit our additional youtube channels:
VPRO Metropolis: youtube.com/user/VPROmetropolis
VPRO World Stories: youtube.com/VPROworldstories (no longer active)
VPRO Extra: youtube.com/channel/UCTLrhK07g6LP-JtT0VVE56A
VPRO VG (world music): youtube.com/vrijegeluiden
VPRO 3voor12 (alternative music): youtube.com/3voor12
VPRO 3voor12 extra (music stories): youtube.com/channel/UCtgVYRLGraeL9rGMiM3rBHA
More info at VPRObroadcast.com
Where are the women in history? Writer and researcher Nadine Akkerman investigates the role of women in history. The discoveries she makes paint a very different picture than we know.
Akkerman shows original letters from the 17th century in the National Archives, which she consults for her research. And she visits historian Nathalie Zemon Davis, a great source of inspiration for Akkerman, and Jana Dambrogio.
She researches folding techniques of letters and thus discovered that many female spies worked in the 17th century. Former head of the British intelligence service MI5, lady Stella Rimington, was the model for the character M in the James Bond films. She knows better than anyone what it is like to be a female spy.
Part of 'Big Questions', a series in which science journalist Rob van Hattum takes a journey through science with eight Dutch researchers who are at the top of their field. Their 'big questions' are central. They tell about their heroes, visit special places and talk about the breakthroughs in their field.
Originally broadcasted in September 2020.
VPRO Documentary publishes a new subtitled documentary weekly, investigating current affairs, finance, sustainability, climate change or politics. Subscribe to our channel, and we will be delighted to share our adventures with you!
This Channel is part of VPRO broadcast. Make sure to visit our additional youtube channels:
VPRO Metropolis: youtube.com/user/VPROmetropolis
VPRO World Stories: youtube.com/VPROworldstories (no longer active)
VPRO Extra: youtube.com/channel/UCTLrhK07g6LP-JtT0VVE56A
VPRO VG (world music): youtube.com/vrijegeluiden
VPRO 3voor12 (alternative music): youtube.com/3voor12
VPRO 3voor12 extra (music stories): youtube.com/channel/UCtgVYRLGraeL9rGMiM3rBHA
More info at VPRObroadcast.com
