On Thursday 16 April 2026, the EWUU alliance will host its annual conference at Domus Dela in Eindhoven from 11.30–17.15 hrs. At this conference ‘Driving Transitions – In society, with society’, we bring together researchers, students, academic leaders, policymakers and societal partners around one shared ambition: not only to study transitions, but to shape them together. Registration for the conference is now open, and the full programme is available on the EWUU website.
The strategic collaboration between Eindhoven University of Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht demonstrates what becomes possible when complementary expertise and perspectives converge. Within EWUU, we address urgent societal challenges, from circularity to preventive health, while building a transdisciplinary working and learning environment in which science and society actively strengthen one another. The conference in Eindhoven centres on these transitions and will be hosted by Cindy de Koning, whose experience in science and media ensures a connecting and energetic programme.
Keynote by Geoff Mulgan
One of the highlights of the conference is the keynote by Geoff Mulgan. In his lecture, ‘How can universities drive change for the common good?’, he reflects on the role universities play in shaping the future of healthcare, democracy and cities, among other domains. Mulgan shows why universities are not only producers of knowledge, but also active partners in social innovation and systemic change.
Perspectives on transition: breakout sessions
Across two rounds of breakout sessions, the EWUU programmes demonstrate what transdisciplinary action looks like in research and education. A selection:
Personal & Social Resilience: Educating Transdisciplinary Change Makers: How do we prepare students to navigate uncertainty, build resilience and take responsibility in addressing complex societal challenges?
Futuring as a Catalyst for Change: What happens when we look back from the future at today’s assumptions about prevention in health? This session challenges participants to rethink health from a fundamentally different perspective.
Where Research Meets Impact: How do we strengthen the societal impact of research? This session explores how collaboration between researchers, students and societal partners leads to meaningful action and shared learning.
Advancing Circular Regions: Public-Private Partnerships and Digital Tools: How can we accelerate circularity in both urban and regional contexts? Discover how digital tools and public-private collaboration can drive circular solutions — and contribute to resilient regional development.
The full breakout programme offers even more opportunities to engage. Join the Escape Room Never Fail Alone, contribute to discussions on participatory research with youth, gain a jargon-free introduction to genes and how they shape living systems, or explore the development of trustworthy AI.
A shared moment of reflection
The EWUU Conference 2026 is more than an event; it is a shared moment of reflection. A space where we demonstrate what our alliance of four leading institutions stands for, and where we collectively advance transitions that truly matter.
Registration & programme
Registration for the conference is now open. The full programme is available on the EWUU website.