The SOCION consortium, in which social sciences and humanities researchers from five different knowledge institutions are conducting research on social cohesion, has secured a €30 million Summit Grant
30 million euros for social cohesion research
Prestigious NWO Summit Grant for SOCION consortium
The SOCION consortium, in which social sciences and humanities researchers
from five different knowledge institutions are conducting research on social
cohesion, has secured a €30 million Summit Grant from the Dutch Research
Council (NWO). Lead applicant Rafael Wittek (Sociology) of the University
of Groningen: ‘The very fabric of society is under pressure. Traditional
forms of social cohesion are becoming less and less effective. Thanks to
the grant, we, together with societal stakeholders, can shed a new light
on how social cohesion can be achieved in these challenging times.’
The Summit Grant is intended for research consortia that have proven to be
among the world’s absolute best in existing collaborations. According to NWO,
the SOCION consortium, which builds on the ongoing SCOOP Gravitation
Program, has proven its value by developing a methodology for interdisciplinary
research in the social sciences and humanities. The interdisciplinary team can
now appoint new cohorts of PhDs and Postdocs to successfully continue the
project, which allows the researchers to make an important contribution of new
knowledge for society.
The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences serves as the coordinator of the
SCOOP programme. Meanwhile, nearly 80 PhD students and postdocs have
completed their SCOOP training.
Fabric of society
The consortium studies social cohesion. Social cohesion is ‘the fabric of society’,
crucial for sustainable societies and the well-being of citizens. However, social
cohesion is increasingly undermined due to community erosion and polarization
between groups. Within the SOCION consortium, psychologists, historians,
demographers, philosophers, and sociologists join forces with societal
organizations to gain insight into how connections between individuals, groups
and institutions contribute to new pathways to and types of social cohesion.
Ellemers, co-applicant and Professor at Utrecht University: ‘The consortium aims
to develop a toolbox of knowledge and measures that can be put to use
effectively in counteracting social disruption. Disruptions that can be triggered
by developments such as migration, climate change, and an ageing population.’
5 out of 55
Of the 55 partnerships that were allowed to be nominated by boards of Dutch
knowledge institutions, 15 were selected to develop a full application, and
present it. Five of them eventually received funding.
The SOCION consortium comprises the University of Groningen (coordinator),
Utrecht University, Amsterdam Free University, Radboud University and NIDI.
Researchers from the University of Groningen who were involved in the
application are:
Prof. Rafael Wittek, Dr. Basak Bileçen and Dr. Liesbet Heyse (Sociology), Prof.
Lisa Herzog, Prof. Pauline Kleingeld and Prof. Leah Henderson, (Philosophy),
Prof. Helga de Valk, Prof. Kene Henkens and Prof. Matthijs Kalmijn (NIDI), Prof.
Russell Spears, Prof. Nina Hansen, and Dr. Yasin Koç (Social Psychology).
More information about Socion
