π How SSH-research strengthens society in uncertain times
π
16 november 2026
π 9.30 – 16.30
π Theatre FIGI, Zeist
NWO SHIFT is a new congress, co-organised by the SSH-counsil and the NWO (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek), where research, policy and society come together around the choices that shape our shared future. In uncertain times, knowledge does not merely observe change, it helps inform and shape it. Starting in the Social Sciences and Humanities, but never stopping there, this conference brings together researchers, policymakers, societal organisations and businesses around a shared concern: attention.
Attention is not a neutral resource. It shapes authority and influence, affects how we understand ourselves and others, and ultimately determines whose voices are heard and whose are overlooked. NWO SHIFT invites attendees to explore its role in power and decisionβmaking, its psychological and existential dimensions, and its broader societal consequences.
NWO SHIFT is organised to bring research into the heart of societal challenges, strengthening its visibility, relevance and impact across disciplines and sectors. Together with attendees, we will explore the contributions of SSH-research to urgent societal challenges and ways to strengthen cooperation between science, policy and practice. The congress will feature international speakers and offer ample space for dialogue and exchange.
