Sector Plan for Social and Behavioural Sciences

In the Netherlands, as in the rest of the world, there are all kinds of complex social issues at play in which human behaviour plays a major role. Academics from 12 Dutch universities are looking for solutions under the sectorplan Maatschappij- en Gedragswetenschappen (Sector Plan for Social and Behavioural Sciences).

Through this sector plan, universities are trying to answer questions such as:

  • How can we support children to become adults who can thrive in a rapidly changing world?
  • How do we deal with algorithms, which increasingly control our lives?
  • What can we do about the growing gap between the rich and the poor?
  • How do we provide education that meets different learning needs and challenges?

Solving such complex questions requires a better understanding of human behaviour, sustainable transitions, and the foundations of stable and resilient organisations. It also requires social and behavioural scientists to collaborate – with each other, with colleagues at other universities, and with colleagues in other disciplines. The Sector Plan for Social and Behavioural Sciences provides the necessary structure and resources for this work. More concise information can be found on the .

12 participating universities

Twelve deans of social sciences faculties from Dutch universities collaborated to develop this sector plan. At Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ, the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is coordinating the implementation of the sector plan.

22 Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ assistant professors are conducting research

Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ has appointed assistant professors in three faculties to implement this sector plan:

  • Social and Behavioural Sciences (16 assistant professors)
  • Geosciences (4 assistant professors)
  • Law, Economics and Governance (2 assistant professors)

In addition, Housing & Technology Services is supporting sector plan research by upgrading lab facilities and improving research infrastructure.

4 research themes

General Coordinator

Research Support Office support officer

Researchers in each theme

Youth resilience

The human factor in new technologies

  • dr. Damion Bunders

    Assistant Professor
    Law, Economics and Governance - Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ School of Governance - Public Governance and Management
    Geosciences - Human Geography and Spatial Planning - Geography & Education

  • dr. Dide van Eck

    Assistant Professor
    Law, Economics and Governance - Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ School of Governance - Organisation Science

  • Suzanne Hoogeveen PhD

    Assistant Professor
    Social and Behavioural Sciences - Social Sciences - Methodology and Statistics

  • dr. Deyu Li

    Assistant Professor
    Phone: 030 253 2199
    Geosciences - Human Geography and Spatial Planning - Economic Geography

  • dr. Pablo Mosteiro Romero

    Assistant Professor
    Social and Behavioural Sciences - Social Sciences - Methodology and Statistics

  • dr. Sonja de Zwarte

    Assistant Professor
    Social and Behavioural Sciences - Psychology - Developmental Psychology
    Social and Behavioural Sciences - Psychology - Developmental Psychology

Social inequality and diversity

The educational sciences of the future