Adapt! conducts interdisciplinary research into crises 

The research consortium Adapt! conducts interdisciplinary research into the ways in which societies successfully prepare for, and deal with, large-scale crises. We want to know why some societies handle crises better than others. Success is defined in terms of meeting crisis challenges while preserving key societal values.

In times of crisis, values are at stake. The safety and prosperity of citizens, as well as the democratic principles of an open society, are quickly put to the test. Within Adapt!, we aim to build knowledge and expertise to help societies prepare for future crises. What are the best practices, now and in the past? What can we learn from these practices to strengthen societal capacities in the light of future crises?

This study focuses on three types of crises: natural disasters, violent extremism, and pandemics. A key aspect of Adapt! is collaboration with various groups in society. We aim to bring together citizens and professionals to translate research findings into tools and strategies that help societies withstand crises.

Adapt! is led by a team of researchers from different Dutch universities. The core team includes Beatrice de Graaf (Utrecht University), Arjen Boin (Leiden University), Kees van den Bos (Utrecht University), Scott Douglas (Utrecht University), Ellen Giebels (University of Twente), Lotte Jensen (Radboud University), Paul van Lange (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) and Rik Peels (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam). The consortium is home to postdoctoral researchers and PhD candidates who conduct research within the various work packages.

Adapt! has two main objectives

Our first goal is to identify the determinants of successful societal crisis responses. We will look at a variety of crises and disasters that occurred between the 1800s and today to make sure our insights are contextually and historically grounded.

Our second goal is to create a permanent, open, international and interdisciplinary infrastructure. To this end, we will create the Adapt Academy.

Contribute to our research and get in touch with us! 

Visit our website: https://adapt-academy.nl/en/

Email us at adapt-academy@uu.nl

Follow us on LinkedIn: Adapt! Preparing societies for future crises

Ter Info is a mobile website that aims to increase the social resilience to terrorism in primary and secondary education. The platform helps teachers to discuss terrorism with various age groups in a clear, factual, responsible and connecting way. Ter Info offers concise and balanced information and the required pedagogical handles to talk about terrorism on a group level. The offered material, developed by experts in dialogue with education professionals, is aimed at students of various backgrounds and age groups. The following becomes clear by means of current articles: what happened, how do we explain that, and what does it mean for the students themselves?

This platform involves students and lecturers from, among other fields, Pedagogy, History and Information Sciences, with assistance from the UU Science Education Hub and in collaboration with schools, education boards and other social actors in Utrecht.

• Maxine Herinx MA
• Mila Bammens MSc
• dr. Bjorn Wansink
• Marjolein van der Werf MA

The project Reimagining Religion, Security and Social Transformationis part of the broader knowledge agenda of the Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA) programme.

As part of the JISRA Knowledge Agenda, this project will provide crucial input to the study of religion and security and to policy and practitioner efforts to address the role of religion in conflict, violence and social transformation processes. Within this project Utrecht University and the University of Groningen focus on the countries Nigeria, Kenya and Indonesia. Principal Investigators (PI's) of the project are Prof. dr. Beatrice de Graaf (UU) and Prof. dr. Erin Wilson (RuG).

The research conducted at Utrecht University aims at bringing religion back into the domain of conflict and political violence research, and does so by introducing a narrative approach. It focuses on the (religious) narratives employed by diverse religious actors related to the phenomenon of violent extremism. This concerns the perpetrators, governmental factions, victim communities and the broader society.Furthermore, The project will concentrate on CVE-processes (Countering Violent Extremism). Itwill identify,  and analyse the strategies utilised by religious leaders for intra and interreligious engagement to navigate the consequences of violent extremism and exclusion in their communities.

The research conducted at the University of Groningen will examine how religious actors approach discussion of the right to FoRB within their own communities (intra-religious), with other religious communities (inter-religious) and with other non-religious actors (extra-religious), including governmental (national and international) and civil society (national and international). In particular, the project focuses on how religious actors navigate the socio-political sensitivities associated with concepts, practices, and discourses such as “religion”, "belief", "freedom", and “human rights” in cross-cultural contexts. The researchers from both universities are working together, synthesizing the results into a report.

The Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA) is a partnership of 50 civil society organisations based in Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria and Uganda (with supporting lobby and advocacy in Europe and the USA). Under the policy framework Power of Voices of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, JISRA will implement a 5-year programme (2021-2025) to further peaceful and just societies where all enjoy Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB).

The JISRA consortium consists of Mensen met een Missie (lead organisation of the consortium), Search for Common Ground, Tearfund NL/UK and Faith to Action Network. For more information on the JISRA project, see the websites of the consortium partners. Tearfund, Mensen met een Missie, Search for Common Ground, Faith to Action Network.

• Myrthe van Groningen MA
• dr. Simon Polinder

• Prof. dr. Erin Wilson
• dr. Eva Krah