Curious yet? We give away 5 copies of the book. But first, let's get to know Hadewijch Vandenheede a bit better.
 
In the salons of the 19th century, the questionnaire as a kind of personality test was a common parlour game. In 2009, Vanity Fair dusted off this somewhat lazy interview technique and it found popularity once again. Let’s play along with Hadewijch Vandenheede.
 
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Many little everyday things in life: reading a book, swimming, especially in the open air, our little son roaring with laughter…
 
Where would you like to live?
Oxford, in the UK.
 
What is your most marked characteristic?
Thoroughness.
 
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Finishing my PhD in difficult circumstances.
 
What is your greatest fear?
Cognitive decline.
 
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Florence Nightingale, John Snow and Rudolf Virchow, because they combined statistics and medicine to improve population health. Moreover, they were all socially engaged. Virchow even considered social inequality to be the cause of diseases, which required political action.
 
Who or what would you like to have been?
I would like to have been an instrument, a cello.
 
How would you like to grow old?
Living in a small cottage in the English countryside with my partner, surrounded by books, while still being able to go for regular strolls.
 
How would you like to die?
Suddenly.
 
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
It depends on the time of the year: if I’m teaching, I certainly overuse “odds ratio”.
 
What is your current state of mind?
Engaged.

 
What is your most treasured possession?
My laptop.
 
What for you is the deepest misery?
Being lied to.

 
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Great sense of humour.
 
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Great sense of humour.
 
What is your motto?
Live and let live.
 
Do you want to know more about the book AGE? You will find more information on crosstalks.vub.ac.be. We are also giving away five copies of AGE. Email marcom@vub.ac.be. Winners will be notified in June.