Department of Society Studies

The Department of Society Studies plays a key role in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences as a provider of knowledge and expertise in the interdisciplinary fields of Science, Technology and Society studies (STS) and Globalisation, Transnationalism and Development research. We combine insights from different disciplines to develop a better understanding of the key challenges of today’s societies.

Our work clusters around themes such as transnational cultures of migration, practices of innovation, transnational flows and entanglements, digital technologies, embodied expertise, and sound in society. Our staff have backgrounds in various (sub-)disciplines, like development studies, political economy and geography, and the history and sociology of science and technology. Department members across these fields share an interest in empirical primary data collection, using methods ranging from qualitative fieldwork and interviews to quantitative surveys, digital methods, as well as combinations of qualitative and quantitative methods.

Teaching

The Department of Society Studies plays an important role in various teaching programs at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. This includes the bachelor's programs (Arts and Culture, European Studies, Digital Society, and Global Studies), and master's programs such as Globalisation and Development Studies (GDS), European Studies of Society, Science and Technology (ESST) and the research Master Cultures of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST). The Department also contributes to the teaching program offered by the University College Maastricht and the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML).

Research

Members of the Department of Society Studies participate in one of the research groups at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:

• Maastricht University Science, Technology, and Society (MUSTS)
• Globalisation, Transnationalism and Development (GTD)
• Politics and Culture in Europe (PCE)

Most researchers are members of the Netherlands Graduate School of Science, Technology and Modern Culture (WTMC) or the research School for International Development (CERES). We also participate in various inter-faculty research centres.

Societal impact

Society Studies staff members work on important societal challenges of today and make an effort to engage with society in doing their research. We reach out to media, report our work on social media, and are involved in co-creation projects with citizens or practitioners. Our research contributes to policy-making and we have advisory roles in several cultural, governmental and policy-making bodies in society. 

Management and administration

Members of the Department of Society Studies take part in many aspects of the management of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, such as the Faculty Board, the Faculty Council, the FASoS Graduate School, the research panel, or the Directorship of teaching programs. We also fulfil various roles within UM committees and working groups and at national and international review and assessment panels.