SSH Sector Plans: Strengthening Social Sciences and Humanities

The SSH Sector Plans are a national initiative in which Dutch universities collaborate to strengthen research and education in the social sciences and humanities. With €70 million available for an initial six-year period, the plans support long-term cooperation, new academic positions, and greater societal impact. Depending on the successful implementation of the plans, as well as several other relevant factors, the funding will become structural. This website shows how Leiden University contributes to these national efforts. 

What the SSH Sector Plans cover

Developed in 2022 and presented by the SSH Council, the Sector Plans invest in the Social Sciences and the Humanities. The Social Sciences Sector Plans have five interdisciplinary focal points:  Resilience in youth, Mental health disorders, The human factor in new technologies, Social transition and behavioral change, and Social inequality and diversity. In addition to these five interdisciplinary focal points, universities are also working on the theme Educational sciences of the future. The Sector Plans have also enabled substantial investments in laboratories, lab support, data stewards, and essential research infrastructure.

Leiden University's contribution

At Leiden, the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FSW) and the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (FGGA) coordinate the Sector Plan activities. Together, they combine expertise across psychology, cultural anthropology, education and child sstudies, political science, public administration, security studies, and global affairs. 

Through the Sector Plans, Leiden: 

• advances national research priorities 
• supports early-career academics 
• strengthens Educational Sciences 
• promotes interdisciplinary collaboration 

Questions?

• Questions about the Sector Plans implementation at FSW?
  Mail researchdesk@fsw.leidenuniv.nl.
• Questions about the implementation at FGGA?
  Contact Annemarie Bouwman: a.t.bouwman@fgga.leidenuniv.nl.