(Future) Prospects/Outlook

The main research area has established itself as a central platform for collaboration between the Faculties of Social Sciences, Humanities, Economics, Education and the Mercator School of Management. It compensates for any barriers that could arise on account of the two-campus situation and fragmented disciplinary structure. For scientists who are interested in supporting and advancing interdisciplinary research projects and alliances, Transformation of Contemporary Societies is a platform for their work. The main research area allows new ideas to grow, existing research interests to develop, and is instrumental in attracting major research alliances. The researchers working in Transformation of Contemporary Societies extended their existing research interests within the four main thematic fields in 2016 and 2017 with many new projects and new areas of inquiry.

This interdisciplinary expertise is now to be used more intensively for collaborative projects in the coming years. The new collaborations and initiatives now running that emerged through the theme development workshops hold great potential for the years ahead and are an excellent basis for securing (collaborative) projects, also in the coming months.

In the central scientific facilities and Transformation of Contemporary Societies there is a wealth of expertise that contributes to inquiry in the main research area. It is key that this expertise is channelled more effectively, made visible and leveraged for continuing success, especially in initiating and securing collaborative projects. The goal should be to work together and create powerful synergies to ensure the ongoing visibility of social science research at the UDE.