'We scientists are incredibly privileged', says Strategic Dean Arwin van Buuren. 'Society enables us to do what we love most: thinking about complex issues. And then we also have to ensure that society reaps the benefits.'
That's why Arwin van Buuren wants to shape the societal mission as Strategic Dean Impact & Engagement. In this role, he brings together societal partners with Erasmus University researchers, lecturers, and students around pressing societal issues such as the energy transition, the dangers and opportunities of AI, and the affordability of healthcare.
'My father was a warehouse worker and my mother a housewife. They both had to start working at fourteen. I was the first in the family to go to university. I enjoyed that, especially when I was given the opportunity to do PhD research in a field that interested me. And I even got paid for it. How could that be? I feel privileged to have been given all these opportunities and want to give something back.' A strong dose of Calvinism in his upbringing makes him want to serve society. 'I have to make the most of my talents. What I do has to have meaning.'
Urgent issues
This is fortunate, because the five themes EUR has chosen after broad deliberation encompass virtually all pressing issues of our time: the resilience and robustness of society, sustainable entrepreneurship and inclusive prosperity, a just transition to a sustainable society, a healthy society, accessible and affordable healthcare, and the responsible use of technologies. These are the domains in which EUR aims to make an impact. These are also university's fields of expertise: the medical sciences, the sociale sciences and the humanities.
'We have top-notch expertise in (sustainable) financing, but also in areas like inequality and justice. We have a goldmine there', says Arwin. I just spoke with someone from Rabobank about the energy transition. He was wondering how to approach this in a financially viable and inclusive way. That is a multifaceted question. The university's added value is that we do our best to understand these complex problems. Especially the ones we still do know very little about. We're also very critical: is this problem the real problem? Shouldn't we define it differently to arrive at better solutions?
'You can no longer pretend to be an expert'
Arwin van Buuren
New knowledge
The university's approach differs from that of, for example, a consultant. The university comes into the picture when no solution is readily available. It conducts critical and independent research into the problem, together with partners in society. This is done in close consultation, and increasingly through co-creation. When I conduct research at the municipality of Rotterdam, my partners know much more about the practical side of things than I do. I can help unravel and interpret the problem. Providing context, analyzing issues, understanding patterns. That's how we arrive at new knowledge together. And once we've clarified the problem, other disciplines are often needed to arrive at a solution. 'For scientists themselves, this is a challenging way of working', says Arwin. 'It's exciting, because you don't know where you'll end up. But if you succeed, you will make a leap in your knowledge.’ It also requires a certain modesty from scientists. ‘You can no longer pretend to be an expert.'
Connection
That connection is precisely what Arwin can be called upon for. 'Social stakeholders can call me if they want to discuss collaboration. As a university, we must ensure that we are willing and able to respond to those needs, whether through research or education.'
Arwin notes that the themes from the impact agenda are also relevant to the university's partners. For example, the municipality of Rotterdam, with which the university already collaborates intensively, is concerned about the city's resilience. This issue has many facets: mental resilience, self-reliance in a crisis, hybrid warfare, and undermining. Arwin: 'Resilience is becoming increasingly important. With our knowledge, we can identify the levers we can push for well-considered interventions. We can also measure whether this solution-oriented research is effective. When you conduct research by changing something, you often see much more clearly where the resistance is and immediately gain a much deeper understanding of the issue.'
Fundamental
Not all scientists are now tackling societal challenges. 'As a university, we cherish scientists who conduct fundamental research driven by scientific curiosity. At the same time, we try to make that knowledge valuable in light of our impact mission. In my view, this actually reinforces each other.'
'Sustainability is increasingly being incorporated into our research and education'
Arwin van Buuren
Remaining independent
The university's new course also presents challenges. Are scientists always safe when conducting controversial research? For example, virologists have been threatened since the coronavirus crisis. ‘Those concerns are justified', says Arwin. ‘We always support our staff. Even when they're intimidated. If it's necessary within one hour.’ Scientists also wonder: how can I remain independent and still make an impact? ‘My answer is always: research and education require moral considerations. Scientists must have the freedom to choose and be questioned about these choices. Our academic freedom and independence are beyond dispute. But it can indeed lead to major clashes. And sometimes – after careful consideration – we also draw the line, such as in the case of collaborations with fossil fuel companies that deliberately hinder the sustainability transition.'
Speaking of choices: is everything the university does in terms of impact sustainable? 'We certainly strive for that', says Arwin. 'Sustainability is one of the themes of the impact domains and simultaneously an integral part of the agenda. Economic activity and healthcare must be sustainable, otherwise they will no longer be durable in the future. Sustainability is increasingly being incorporated into our research and education.'
Equal collaboration
The university will organize collaboration with partners in so-called open innovation networks. 'That's more of a mindset and a way of working than an organisation', says Arwin. 'If there's a societal issue that partners in society want to solve, we'll work together to find what we can contribute. Open innovation networks can be organised per impact domain. Take the theme of societal resilience for example. Who do you need for this? Housing corporations, healthcare institutions, schools, the municipality? For example, we're working on community workshops where students and researchers connect with local issues. Our contribution can therefore take many forms. EUR can contribute through research, education, lifelong learning, consultancy, and postgraduate education provided by our private limited companies, but also by applying for grants together with partners and organizing knowledge exchange. These networks must become sustainable and reciprocal. This way, they become structures for equal collaboration.'
Arwin expects the ties between the responsible university and partners to become increasingly stronger. This will yield more than just excellent research and education: 'The Erasmus Center for Energy Transition, for example, currently consists of 15 organizations that provide EUR with funding for research and education related to the energy transition. This creates all sorts of opportunities for researchers. We entice people to participate by creating opportunities together.'
- More information
Do you have a topic where you could use some broad knowledge and insight? Reach out to Arwin and his team. Join the big network of global citizens, so we can work together to make ideals happen.
Or read all about how we want to work together as a university.
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