Professor Andy Stirling joins CWTS as Visiting Professor
Visiting professorship
CWTS is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Andy Stirling as Visiting Professor.
Andy Stirling is Emeritus Professor at the University of Sussex and a visiting senior researcher at the Research on Research Institute. He is internationally recognised for his influential work on science policy, sustainability, and sociotechnical change. He will contribute to CWTS’s research and engagement activities across the institute, drawing on his extensive experience in interdisciplinary scholarship and public policy. His work has shaped international debates on innovation, governance, and societal transitions, and his appointment reflects CWTS’s commitment to advancing critical, socially engaged research on science and society.
During his affiliation at CWTS, he will collaborate with researchers in the Engagement and Inclusion and Evaluation and Culture focal areas and engage closely with CWTS’s early career research community.
In the Evaluation and Culture focal area, Stirling’s expertise on complex systems change, sociotechnical transitions, and analytical approaches to reform will support CWTS’s work on understanding and shaping change in contemporary science systems, including research assessment, publishing, and governance reform.
In the Engagement and Inclusion focal area, his work has already shaped several foundational ideas. His thinking has contributed to the development of the Multiversatory concept, and related international activities. His longstanding research on sustainability also connects closely to CWTS’s work on inclusive knowledge production, education, and public engagement.
On his appointment, Andy Stirling remarked:
'Having admired work at CWTS in Leiden for many years as a collaborator with several excellent researchers here, I’m excited to begin this new phase. CWTS work has long sought to address many important worldwide challenges. I look forward to redoubling my efforts to help.'
CWTS Director of Research, Wolfgang Kaltenbrunner:
'Professor Stirling brings a unique depth of insight that will strengthen CWTS’s strategic priorities in studying the complex changes unfolding at alarming rates in contemporary science systems. We look forward to the new perspectives and collaborations that his appointment will help cultivate.'
Alex Rushforth, Assistant Professor at CWTS:
'Andy Stirling's values as a scholar, mentor and communicator are very much compatible with our own at CWTS, and on behalf of my colleagues I can say we are very excited for the many intellectual synergies that lie ahead.'