Netherlands Launches First National Science and Technology Studies Conference in April 2026

2026-02-23 community

Enschede, Monday, 23 February 2026.
The University of Twente will make history by hosting the inaugural STS NL Conference from April 15-17, 2026, marking 40 years since Science and Technology Studies graduate training began in the Netherlands in 1986. This groundbreaking event brings together researchers exploring how science and technology shape society during times of global shifts. With approximately 260 contributions including presentations, workshops, and posters, the conference addresses critical topics from artificial intelligence and digitalization to climate change and social justice. The three-day gathering represents a significant milestone for Dutch academia, creating the first dedicated national platform for interdisciplinary dialogue between researchers, policymakers, and innovation professionals examining the intersection of knowledge, technology, and societal transformation.

Academic Collaboration and Research Focus

The conference represents a joint effort between the University of Twente and the Netherlands Research School for Science, Technology and Modern Culture (WTMC) [1][2]. The event will be hosted by the Knowledge, Transformation & Society (KiTeS) Group at the University of Twente, a research unit 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]. The conference theme, “Knowledge & Technology in Time of Global Shifts,” addresses how STS scholars can relate to global transformations and their implications for research practices [1]. Academic submissions for the event closed in early January 2026, following a structured timeline that began with track submissions in September 2025 [8].

Comprehensive Program Structure and Topics

The conference program encompasses approximately 260 contributions across various formats including presentations, workshops, and posters [3]. Research topics span diverse areas including health, energy, agriculture, art, knowledge dynamics, nature-society relations, innovation processes, governance, futures and anticipation, and finance [1]. The program specifically addresses transformation of knowledge and research practices, digitalization and artificial intelligence, health, energy, futures, ethics, politics, and power [3]. An early-stage researcher event will precede the main conference on April 14, 2026, providing specialized programming for emerging scholars in the field [2][3].

Location and Accessibility

The conference will take place on the University of Twente campus in Enschede, located at Drienerlolaan 5, 7522 NB Enschede, Netherlands [6]. The campus sits between the cities of Hengelo and Enschede and hosts a dynamic community of more than 12,000 students and 3,700 staff members representing a hundred nationalities [6]. The venue offers multiple transportation options, with attendees able to reach the campus via train stations in Hengelo, Enschede, or Enschede Kennispark, followed by bus connections using routes 1 or 9 [6]. The campus is also accessible by bicycle, located approximately 20 minutes by bike from both Enschede and Hengelo train stations [6].

Registration and Future Impact

Conference registration opened with early bird pricing until March 5, 2026, requiring all presenters to register before this deadline [8]. Final registration closes on April 7, 2026, just one week before the event begins [8]. The conference organizers have implemented a moderate fee structure for all attendees regardless of career stage, though they do not offer special rates for PhD students or financial travel support for international participants [7]. This inaugural event aims to establish a vibrant platform for researchers interested in Science and Technology Studies, whether based in the Netherlands or internationally, positioning itself as the first in a planned series of national conferences [2]. The timing coincides with a critical period as the field marks four decades since STS graduate training began in the Netherlands in 1986 [1].

Bronnen

Science Technology Society Academic Conference