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FASoS Research Institute

Moving boundaries, bridging disciplines

The research institute of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS) at Maastricht University studies societies and cultures as they unfolded during the modern and contemporary era in a radically interdisciplinary manner. We analyse the interrelationships of Europeanisation, globalisation, scientific and technological development, political change and cultural innovation. We are interested in how today’s societies cope with and reflect these challenges in various ways. These could be artistic practices and practices of remembrance as well as specific forms of governance and political integration as well as strategies for managing knowledge, technologies and risks. While our research starts from today’s problems, we have a strong interest in how the modern world came to be.

Research

To nurture and maintain this kind of innovative, interdisciplinary research, the research institute of FASoS has created a matrix organisational structure. Its backbone are four distinct research programmes, each of which is composed by an interdisciplinary team of researchers. While the research programmes form the core of the research activities at FASoS, the faculty also has five centres as specific research hubs and to facilitate interaction with external academic partners and societal stakeholders. Together, the research programmes and the research centres provide a framework that facilitates flexibility, networking, and mobility beyond disciplinary boundaries.

News

Michiel Bron
  • Researchers

Michiel Bron wins inaugural William Burr Prize in Nuclear History

Michiel Bron, who obtained his PhD at FASoS, has won the inaugural William Burr Prize in Nuclear History for his dissertation The Petro-Atom . The prize recognises outstanding nuclear history research and includes a book contract with McGill-Queen's University Press.
Eliza_Researchday
  • Researchers

FASoS Valorisation Prize 2025 awarded to Eliza Steinbock

Professor Eliza Steinbock has been awarded the FASoS Valorisation Prize 2025 for Field Notes on Artistic Participation in Europe’s Trans and Queer Archive . Ferenc Laczó received an honourable mention for Intertwined Stories .
Ana Lopez Garcia
  • Researchers

Ana Lopez Garcia awarded NWO Open Competition XS grant for research on diaspora finance and climate resilience

Her project, Diaspora Finance for Climate Resilience in Fragile States, explores how diaspora communities can help finance climate resilience without unintentionally weakening fragile governments.
glass jar with coins a growing plant
  • Researchers

Grants for Interdisciplinary Research Projects and Outreach Activities

Multiple researchers of the Faculty of Law received funding by Studio Europa Maastricht. These fundings aim to support interdisciplinary, Europe-focused research and outreach initiatives
Ferenc and Marijn
  • Researchers

Interdisciplinary project explores democracy and the rule of law in a changing world

The team will organise an interdisciplinary workshop bringing together international scholars from a range of disciplines and geographical backgrounds. The workshop will be complemented by outreach activities, including opinion articles, video recordings, and a podcast.