As a lecturer or researcher, how do you work together with parties from outside the university? What should you pay attention to, what examples are there already? For these questions, you can now go to HIER: the Hub for Impactful and Engaged Research.
This new collaborative initiative of Erasmus University Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, TU Delft, Leiden University and Leiden University Medical Center started in February 2026 and aims to strengthen, coordinate and make more visible social engagement in the region.
Complex social issues
Collaboration with society in research - through participatory methods and co-creation with societal partners - is increasingly seen as essential to tackle complex societal issues. HIER was founded to meet this challenge.
Sign up for the mailing list of HERE
As a coordinating network, the Hub connects existing expertise, programmes and infrastructures within and between the participating institutions. In addition, HIER offers a point of contact for researchers and lecturers who want to work in a more engaged and impactful way.
This new hub gives staff the support to engage non-academic partners in a responsible manner.'
One of the people involved is Prof. Arwin van Buuren, Strategic Dean Impact & Engagement at Erasmus University Rotterdam. Van Buuren: 'This new hub gives staff the support to involve non-academic partners in a responsible way – from idea to implementation – in research, education and social activities. It is an indispensable service for Open Innovation Networks.'
Transdisciplinary collaboration
There is already a strong basis for this transdisciplinary approach in Zuid-Holland. Over the past 15 years, knowledge institutions have joined forces and work together in Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Universities, Medical Delta, Convergence, Resilient Delta and Health Campus The Hague, among others.
This has resulted in multidisciplinary research centres with collaborating scientists and social partners. This has also made inroads into education: students from different fields of study work on assignments in neighbourhoods, for example in the Thesis Workshop The Hague Southwest.
This approach suits South Holland. Because of the breadth of complementary knowledge areas and the social challenges that lie ahead. Urban problems in particular require a transdisciplinary approach in which knowledge institutions, government, citizens and the business community are brought together.
Practical support for researchers
The new hub HERE offers researchers and lecturers:
- A point of contact for expertise, regional networks and institutional support for engaged research;
- Access to training, tools, resources, and opportunities to learn from peers;
- Advice on funding opportunities, ethical issues and the design of participatory research;
- Connections with relevant societal, civil and transdisciplinary partners;
- Support in demonstrating and communicating about social impact;
- Advocacy for recognition and appreciation of social involvement within academic careers.
Each participating institution has its own coordinator who helps researchers find the right resources and networks to suit their needs and ambitions.
Transition to Open Science
The launch of HIER is in line with broader developments in the field of Open Science and responsible research and innovation. HIER is one of the five hubs for embedding citizen science and social engagement in Dutch higher education institutions.
Contact
For more information, please send an email to hier@eur.nl.
