Digital Sciences for Society
Digitalization is here to stay. It is a driver of innovation and creates challenges as well as opportunities for society and science. As a university with unique expertise on the interface of technology and socially relevant research, Tilburg University gives impetus to further developing and integrating the digital sciences with its Digital Sciences for Society program.
Focus areas
The Digital Sciences for Society program has three focus areas: Impactful research, Education, and Organizing collaboration.
Over a period of five years, the university will invest in excess of € 7 million in initiating and facilitating initiatives contributing to:
- university-wide basic and in-depth knowledge on the digital sciences among both instructors and students;
- innovation in the digital sciences: the further development, application, evaluation, and integration of methods and techniques in the field of data science, computer science, and artificial intelligence;
- innovation through digital sciences: enhancing society with applied research on the interface of the digital and social sciences and humanities;
- reflection on the ethical, legal, and social aspects of digital technology and making the insights obtained available to society.
Contributing to science and society inspired by connection
‘Connection’ is the unifying thread of this program: connecting the digital sciences with the humanities and social sciences, connection through collaborating across School boundaries, connection in the form of co-creation with social partners. The Digital Sciences for Society program uses that connection to conduct research, provide education, and build a community, meeting a need for knowledge, tools, and solutions created by both science and society.
Studying people and society is no longer possible without thorough knowledge of the interaction between digital technology and society
- Boudewijn Haverkort
First Icon and Growth Projects launched
In 2023, the Digital Sciences for Society program kicked off with a Call for Proposals for Icon Projects and a Call for Proposals for Growth Projects for multi-disciplinary research
- on the interface of digital and social sciences and the humanities;
- involving researchers from the various Schools;
- in collaboration with social partners;
- with the ambition and potential to generate social impact.
In June 2023, funding was awarded to 14 Growth Projects. In addition, four Icon Projects received funding in July 2023.
To the overview of Icon and Growth Projects
A new Call for Growth Projects will be published in January 2024. See our news overview for that. A new funding round for Icon Projects will follow in 2025.
News & events
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New Call for Proposals Growth Projects - Digital Sciences for Society
29th January 2024Tilburg University invites researchers to submit proposals for Growth Projects: 1-2 year research projects at the intersection of the digital sciences, social sciences and humanities, focused on innovation with or reflection on the digital sciences. Societal relevance and involvement of an external partner are part of the criteria. The Call explicitly targets talented young researchers.
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15:00 - 17:15
Human vs AI: What is true Intelligence?
Ever felt frustrated by a chatbot's shortcomings and labeled it 'stupid'? Delve into why we perceive it so, and what defines our own intelligence at this symposium, where we explore the parallels and differences between human and artificial intelligence.
Digital Sciences for Society newsletter
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Previous milestones
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Digital Sciences for Society event brings together a variety of disciplines
16th November 2023How can we use technology to contribute to global security and prevent it from compromising our global order? Will ChatGPT lead to more in-class teaching and examination? What are the opportunities and obstacles to using data for accelerating the transition to a sustainable and future-proof energy supply? These questions and more were discussed at the Digital Sciences for Society event.
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EUR 2.4 million in funding for four projects under the Digital Sciences for Society program
06th July 2023In the coming years and through its Digital Sciences for Society program, Tilburg University invests in research on the interface of digital sciences, social sciences and the humanities that contributes to solving today’s major challenges. This week, EUR 2.4 million was awarded to four multiyear research projects.
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Tilburg University invests in Digital Sciences for Society: first € 240,000 awarded to 14 Growth Projects
09th June 2023Tilburg University has awarded funding to 14 research projects for their potential to help society move forward by applying, reflecting on, or further developing digital sciences. By awarding this funding, the Digital Sciences for Society program encourages research with impact.
Team
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Boudewijn Haverkort
Academic lead Digital Sciences for Society -
Martin van der Broek
Program manager Digital Sciences for Society -
Isis Potters
Program Officer Digital Sciences for Society
Also interesting
Are you interested in digital sciences, research at the intersection of digital sciences and human and social sciences and/or research in collaboration with community partners? Then also check out these initiatives:
Tilburg AI Special Interest Group (TAISIG)
TAISIG connects researchers from different Departments and research groups at Tilburg University with a view to maximizing their contribution to the development of human-centered AI for the benefit of society. TAISIG shares knowledge via the TAISIG Talks, that are also available as podcasts. TAISIG website
AI Forward Forum
Julia Vaitonytė and Judita Rudokaitė, PhD researchers at the Department of Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence at Tilburg University, initiated this forum based on the thought that designing and thinking about technology should not be the exclusive domain of technically-minded people, because it is a ‘fundamentally human issue’. With their AI Forward Forum and Talk Series, they offer a platform to various experts from across the world to participate in discussions on AI. AI Forward Forum website
MindLabs
MindLabs is a partnership in which Tilburg University participates, together with two other regional knowledge institutions, authorities and a growing number of business partners, social institutions, and startups. By connecting knowledge and the application of human-centered AI with entrepreneurship, MindLabs wants to enhance people and society, focusing on the interaction between technology and human behavior. MindLabs website
University-wide Academic Collaborative Centers on Broad Prosperity
Within these academic collaborative centers, long-term, interdisciplinary research is conducted in which, based on a shared ambition, businesses, authorities, and other knowledge institutions work together in co-creation. The focus is on research on the sustainability transition, inequality, and health & wellbeing, whereby broad prosperity is the guiding theme. Broad Prosperity website