The Dutch Research Council (NWO) has awarded an Impact Explorer grant to two EUR researchers. One project focuses on social inclusion in the Rotterdam metro, while the other investigates Neanderthals and modern humans in Europe.
Unseen Journeys: Art for Empathy in Transit - dr. R. Chowdhury
This Impact Explorer project focuses on social inclusion in the Rotterdam Metro, with specific attention to people with unseen disabilities. Previous research showed that small acts of kindness and artistic interventions foster a sense of belonging, yet this group often faces tension due to misunderstanding. Through co-creation and artistic practice, the project develops a prototype that promotes empathy and social interaction in public transport. An interdisciplinary team of researchers, artists, and people with lived experience collaborates on a tangible outcome to support policymakers and transport organizations in creating an accessible, inclusive urban environment.
Neanderthals and Us: from competition to co-existence and exchange - Prof.dr. H.A.E. Zwart
Neanderthal research often highlights the exceptionality of modern humans, seen as decisively different and truly human. Encounters between 'superior' humans and 'inferior' Neanderthals allegedly resulted in the latter's demise, both in research and in Neanderthal movies and novels. Current perspectives shift towards more dynamic and inclusive views of deep history, acknowledging that Neanderthals and modern humans coexisted for thousands of years. This has repercussions for how we see ourselves. We explore the contemporaneity of Neanderthals and modern humans in what is now Europe, emphasise interaction and (genetic and cultural) exchange rather than competition and assess the impact on self-understanding today.
About this NWO grant
When conducting scientific research, you sometimes encounter unexpected results that were not taken into account beforehand. It is precisely these unexpected discoveries that can yield valuable new insights. The Impact Explorer call offers researchers the opportunity to explore the potential impact of these discoveries.
The grant is intended to validate the potential societal impact of discoveries from more curiosity-driven research, such as that conducted under the Talent Line and Open Competitions of both NWO and ZonMw, and to explore a route to societal impact. A minimum of €20,000 and a maximum of €30,000 is available per application.
- More information
Questions about Romit Chowdhury? Please contact press officer Marjolein Kooistra: kooistra@essb.eur.nl.
Questions about Hub Zwart? Please contact press officer Eddie Adelmund: adelmund@esphil.eur.nl.
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