Institutions social advisory council introduced

The Institutions strategic theme recently inaugurated a dedicated social advisory council. Made up of the chairs of the Netherlands' leading institutions, the council will contribute strategic insight on the development and implementation of scientific research within the theme, the prioritisation of new themes and the promotion of ties between science and society. The advisory council is chaired by Alexander Rinnooy Kan and recently convened for the first time.

Social relevance is a key criterion within Institutions research. The advisory council supports this objective, also by acting as a sounding board. Made up of the chairs of ten leading Dutch institutions identified in the domains of the economy,  social organisations, law and public administration.

Like society as a whole, these institutions operate in a constantly changing context, subject to an ever-increasing pace of both socio-economic and technological and ecological change. This changing context is also reflected in a fast-changing institutional environment – in the administration of justice, the organisation of the financial system, the shift of powers towards Europe and also changes in people's general standards and values and in the development of new networks and alliances.

How should we approach these changes? How can we foster renewal that preserves the positives but also provides answers to new challenges? And how can we structure the playing field so that individual actors and institutes invest not only in their own strength and renewal but also contribute to the strength of Dutch society as a whole? These and other questions are explored within the Institutions theme in conjunction with the social advisory council.

Members of the social advisory council

  • Alexander Rinnooy Kan (chair)
  • Kim Putters (SCP)
  • Pauline Meurs (RVS)
  • André Knottnerus (WRR)
  • Hans Clevers (KNAW)
  • Piet Hein Donner (Council of State)
  • Maarten Feteris (Supreme Court)
  • Hans de Boer (VNO/NCW)
  • Ton Heerts (FNV)
  • Saskia Stuiveling (Netherlands Court of Audit)