FASoS Research Institute

Research Institute

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

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

Hylke Dijkstra appointed UM Europe Chair at Studio Europa Maastricht

UM news

Hylke Dijkstra will join Studio Europa Maastricht as Maastricht University (UM) Europe Chair on 1 September 2026.

FASoS Faculty Board composition as of September 2026

Esther Versluis will take up the position of dean of the faculty. Patrick Bijsmans will continue in his role as Associate Dean for Education. Darian Meacham will join the Faculty Board as Associate Dean for Research.

Marlies Vermeulen first MERIAN PhD to defend her artistic research

Researchers

In her research practice she radically explores how to learn to become a cartopologist. Her work combines anthropological, architectural and cartographical methods to create unique maps of places.

Discover how FASoS research is making an impact beyond academia in the newly published annual research report 2025

Researchers

Through inspiring interviews and research highlights, the report explores topics ranging from children’s digital lives and environmental heritage to European politics and community engagement through film.

Collaborative Maastricht University team receives Open Science NL funding

A multidisciplinary team of UM researchers and support staff has been awarded a €250,000 grant from Open Science NL. Their project will highlight an often-overlooked part of academic research: the people who support it behind the scenes.