Data School has published a call to action for Impact Projects: support for impact-focused research projects in the humanities with societal partners.

For the past 10 years, Data School has been at the forefront of researching the impact of AI in society. Working across disciplines and in close collaboration with external partners we conduct research around two main research pillars: Responsible Data Practices & AI and Media Policy and Public Debates. We are committed to producing impactful research that informs policy and practice in public sector and media industries.

As one of the dedicated focus areas of Utrecht University’s Impact Plans, Data School will further advance its transdisciplinary research agenda with the following goals:

Involving more academic staff in projects with external partners to ensure quality assurance and scientifically translate results into publications.
Expanding and strengthening relationships with the media industry, such as news media and public broadcasters, as well as creative agencies.
Improving the visibility of activities and impact both within and outside the University.

Impact Project vouchers

At the Faculty of Humanities, Impact Project vouchers are available to encourage researchers at Utrecht University to collaborate across disciplines and with relevant societal partners in the professional field. Each voucher has a fixed individual value of €8,000.

External partner organizations should contribute with their own funding to match the amount provided by the university. The main goal is to strengthen ties between our research and the needs of practitioners in society.

Research pillars

Utrecht University is dedicated to enhancing the impact of its research through transdisciplinary projects with societal partners. At the forefront of this initiative is the Data School, which drives this agenda through two key pillars for inter- and transdisciplinary research:

Public Debates & Media Policy
How do media shape public discussions about societal issues (e.g., climate crisis, migration, disinformation, AI)? How can we help media organisations to develop efficient strategies addressing profound social and political challenges (e.g., representation, inclusion, diversity)? What role can emerging technologies play here?
Responsible Data Practices & AI
How can we promote ethical and responsible data practices in the development and deployment of AI technologies? How can societally responsible organisations ensure data privacy, fairness, transparency, and accountability in data- and AI systems? How can organisations address biases in AI, and develop frameworks for responsible data governance?

Submission

We would like to invite you to send your inter- and transdisciplinary project ideas that could fit within one of these pillars.

The submission deadlines for propasals for Impact Projects are:

First submission deadline: 11th October 2024
Second submission deadline: 11th March 2025

Proposal form

Information & matching event

On Wednesday 11 September, Data School is organizing an information & matching event for its Impact Projects from 12:00 to 15:00 hrs, including free lunch. At the event, the Data School team will elaborate on their call to action for Impact Projects and the two research pillars, answer questions, and give researchers the opportunity to pitch their project ideas to find Utrecht University collaborators.

More info

You can find more information about the Impact Projects on dataschool.nl/impact.

CFP Academics

CFP Professionals

For any questions or comments regarding Impact Projects, please contact dr. Dennis Nguyen directly at d.nguyen1@uu.nl.