Digital Society Conference

We are living in a digital society, in which every aspect of our lives is profoundly being affected by the digitalisation of data: how we communicate and socialise; how we work, learn, stay healthy and participate in politics and the economy. Digitalisation promises tremendous benefits; for better health, more efficient mobility, efficient energy use, and flourishing companies. Yet it also raises complex challenges: new divides around access to and control of data; what it means to be human when we share the world with sophisticated artificial intelligences; identifying knowledge and truth amongst the deluge of information.

14 Universities, 30 professors, 7 themes

To address these issues the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU) has brought together leading researchers from all fourteen Dutch universities to work together to address the many pressing questions raised by the emergence of a digital society. The Digital Society programme combines the expertise of over 30 leading professors in their respective fields. The programme covers seven themes:

1. Citizenship & Democracy
2. Responsible Data Science
3. Health & Well-Being
4. Learning & Education
5. Work & Organisations
6. Digital Cities & Communities
7. Safety & Security

In addition to the seven themes, The Digital Society programme also focuses on four data principles:

1. FACT
2. FAIR
3. ROBUST
4. SHARED

These data principles are essential for understanding the social challenges and the opportunities of digitisation. Scientists, the government, the business community and other partners can apply these in building a better future with data.

Leiden-Delft-Erasmus participates in the Digital Society programme

The strategic alliance Leiden-Delft-Erasmus is participating in the The Digital Society with and extensive group of researchers from the three universities:

Prof. Andrea Evers, professor of Health Psychology, Leiden University, is theme initiator for Health and Well-Being > video-interview
Prof. Liesbet van Zoonen, professor of Sociology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, is theme initiator for Digital Cities and Communities > video-interview
Prof. Geert Jan Houben, professor of Web Information Systems, TU Delft, is theme initiator for Responsible Data Science.
Prof. Michel van Eeten, professor of Governance of Cybersecurity, TU Delft, is professor for the theme of Safety and Security.
Prof. Marcus Specht, professor of Digital Education, TU Delft, is initiator (from the Open University) for the theme of Digital Learning & Education. > video-interview 
Prof. Inald Lagendijk, professor of Information and Communication Theory, TU Delft, is programme coordinator for The Digital Society > video-interview

> Read more about the Digital Society programme in this e-zine