Netherlands Launches First National Science and Technology Studies Conference
Enschede, Monday, 2 March 2026.
The University of Twente will host the inaugural STS NL Conference from April 15-17, 2026, marking a historic milestone for Dutch academia. This groundbreaking event brings together 260 contributions covering artificial intelligence, health innovation, and energy transformation under the theme ‘Knowledge & Technology in Times of Global Shifts.’ Forty years after STS graduate training began in the Netherlands, this conference establishes the country as a major European research hub, uniting academics, policymakers, and industry professionals to address how science and technology reshape society amid global crises and technological disruption.
Unprecedented Scale and Scope of National Conference
The conference represents a significant expansion from previous academic gatherings, with approximately 260 contributions including presentations, workshops and posters scheduled across the three-day program [3]. These contributions will span diverse domains including transformation of knowledge and research practices, digitalisation and artificial intelligence, health, energy, futures, ethics, politics and power [3]. The event will take place at the University of Twente campus in Enschede [2][3], bringing together researchers from the Netherlands and abroad who are interested in Science and Technology Studies [2][3].
Organizational Structure and Academic Partnerships
The conference is organized jointly with the Netherlands Research School for Science, Technology and Modern Culture (WTMC) [1][2][3], highlighting the collaborative nature of Dutch STS research infrastructure. The event is hosted by the Knowledge, Transformation & Society (KiTeS) Group of the University of Twente [1][2][3], which was established in 2023 through the merger of the Center for Higher Education Policy Studies (CHEPS) and the Science, Technology, and Policy Studies (STePS) section [5]. This merger created a research group focused on transformative higher education, environmental justice, and technology and social change [5], positioning it strategically to host this inaugural national conference.
Early Career Development Initiative
Recognizing the importance of nurturing the next generation of STS scholars, the conference will be preceded by an early career event on April 14, 2026, starting with lunch at 12:00 [4]. This dedicated session for up to 40 early-career researchers, including PhDs and postdocs, will feature small-group discussion sessions, interactive panel conversations, and networking opportunities [4]. The program includes innovative formats such as ‘Speed-dating with your future’ and ‘Career options after your PhD or postdoc’ sessions [4]. Confirmed speakers include representatives from both academic institutions and government bodies, such as Stans van Egmond from the Ministry of Health Welfare and Sport, alongside academics from Utrecht University, University of Groningen, and Maastricht University [4].
Historical Context and Future Implications
The timing of this conference is particularly significant, occurring 40 years after STS graduate training first began in the Netherlands in 1986 [1]. The Dutch STS infrastructure now encompasses 12 research organizations across the country [1], demonstrating substantial growth and institutional development over four decades. Registration for the main conference was expected to open in February 2026, with early bird registration closing on March 5, 2026 [5]. The conference theme ‘Knowledge & Technology in Times of Global Shifts’ addresses contemporary challenges including global crises, power dynamics, colonialism, and the rise of big tech [1], positioning Dutch STS research at the forefront of critical academic discourse on technology’s societal impact.