Research
We contribute to solving major societal issues
The future is in Maastricht
UM multidisciplinary collaborations contribute to solving major societal issues within our primary research themes. We develop new methods to make plastics from organic materials, but we also conduct research into migration, and look into methods to get more people interested taking the necessary financial preparations for their retirement. Whenever possible, UM research is translated into economic, financial, or social value. UM participates in centres of excellence, both technological and social, to allow scientific discoveries to be swiftly converted into practical applications. What is more, research is integrated into education at every level. Our educational method, Problem-Based Learning, lays the groundwork for students to embrace research and the scientific method from the very first day of their studies.
Research in Maastricht
Researchers in Maastricht operate in a juxtaposition between the tranquil, beautiful, ancient city of Maastricht and the wide array of modern, advanced research facilities and venues spread around the city. We are working to bridge the gaps between academia and the real world, between scientific disciplines, and between society as it is and society as it should be.
Data Science @ UM
Vast amounts of data are being generated across all segments of society. If taken advantage of, these data offer an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate scientific discovery, to improve healthcare and wellbeing, and to strengthen our communities. Data Science is an interdisciplinary field concerning the scientific methods, systems and workflows used to obtain insights from data.
STEM research at UM
Cross-discipline and sometimes literally cross-border: that’s what characterises the STEM* research at UM, from regenerative medicine and nano-biology to data science and biobased materials. UM scientists search for and find opportunities to make a difference in the future, working within institutions such as MACSBIO, MERLN, M4I, AMIBM and more. Are you curious what these abbreviations stand for?
*In Dutch this is known as ‘bèta’
Research in brief
From PhDs and research training to articles and interviews, press releases and employment opportunities.
Unifying research themes
Maastricht's identity is rooted in its history, its location, and in those things that people living and working here do best. Maastricht University research reflects these qualities, and is organised around and focused on three themes that reflect Maastricht and the Limburg region: Quality of Life, Learning and Innovation and Europe and a Globalising World. Some of the issues that fall under these themes are healthy ageing, climate change, demographic changes, sustainability, the impact of technological developments, population ageing, healthy and affordable food, and the European integration process.
Detailed information about Maastricht University's research themes and strategy can be found in:
Performance Agreements (only in Dutch)
Strategic Programme 2022-2026
Learning and Innovation
The development of scientific knowledge about learning and innovation has an important place within Maastricht University. Contemporary societies ask for innovations targeted at life-long learning of knowledge and skills and at promoting that everyone can develop and use their full potential. The theme Learning & Innovation encompasses all research that is concerned with practical, conceptual, and theoretical aspects of learning, concerning both ongoing practices, as well as innovative practices of learning and teaching. From fundamental research about learning and development processes in the field of (child) neuropsychology, cognitive neuroscience, and educational psychology to learning in higher education including our own university, education and labour economics, and applied research about artificial intelligence in the classroom.
The taskforce Learning & Innovation works on the further development of this theme, creating new collaborations and inspiring researchers and practitioners to work together on this important topic.
Keep reading about Learning & Innovation.
Europe in a Globalising World
Birthplace of the European Union, border-city between Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, and a cross-roads of various languages and cultures, Maastricht is the ideal location for the study of Europe and its place in the internationalised world. Almost all academic programmes at UM have either a EU-regional or international perspective, and we offer exchanges and internships throughout the world. We have founded several research institutes devoted specifically to cross-border issues, and our legal and social sciences departments are at the forefront of research into European law and politics.
UM has developed several lines of interdisciplinary research within this theme. We have studied different aspects of the European Union including the organisation of the EU, the role of Europe in the world stage and the tensions between cultural memory and diversity on European and international levels.
Political scientists, lawyers, economists, business experts, health sciences scientists, historians and cultural scientists conduct research into the relationship between national (and regional) governments and 'Brussels', and the european policy and managerial challenges in a globalising world. The two lines of research at UM are entitled: Europe "beyond Maastricht" and Maastricht "beyond Europe".
Sustainability & Circularity
It is becoming increasingly clear that the future of all of us and of our planet is connected to the way we live. There is a growing awareness that we must together take on the task of promoting sustainable development and broad-based prosperity, which is also expressed in the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. Going forward, UM wants to place its research, education and other activities more clearly in the context of these SDGs.
Circularity focuses on cycles of raw materials, while sustainability relates more broadly to people, the environment and prosperity. This theme is therefore relevant for all faculties and ties in seamlessly with our social responsibility towards our community and our planet. We approach this theme from a broad and holistic perspective that goes beyond a focus on the use and reuse of materials. With our research (and education) on sustainability and circularity, as well as our valorisation efforts through the Brightlands campuses, UM is accelerating the transition to a sustainable society with circular solutions.
The taskforce Sustainable UM 2030 is working on developing an active research community that connects cross-faculty sustainability and facilitates interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary sustainable research. Visit the website of sustainable research to know more about recent developments.
Find the research you need
Maastricht University compiles all of its research output for both academic and public access, offering not only scientific and professional publications, but also talks, activities, and press content related to UM research.
Research does not stop at the university gates: our research community works in multidisciplinary teams and in close cooperation with international institutes, business, and industry, striving daily to find ways our research output can benefit society.
Faculties contributing to Research Publications include:
- Arts and Social Sciences
- Health, Medicine and Life Sciences*
- Sciences and Engineering
- Law
- Psychology and Neuroscience
- School of Business and Economics
*Over 2016 - 2017, the vast Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences research collection will be gradually added, starting with the most recent content.
News
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Elderly individuals who live alone are particularly vulnerable to prolonged feelings of loneliness. That is why the researchers of the euPrevent PROFILE project addressed loneliness in older people.
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Melissa Schepers' doctoral research at Maastricht University and Hasselt University offers hope for the development of a new medication that can halt or restore the limitations of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Calendar
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05 Jun10:00
PhD conferral Ming Li
"Economic Growth in the Face of Changes"
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05 Jun13:00
PhD conferral Yue Zhang
"Towards more dose efficient cryogenic electron microscopy of biological samples"
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06 Jun10:00
PhD conferral Hannah Jane Gillespie
"Helping students become doctors: analysing tensions and releasing opportunities in clinical workplaces"
HR Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R)
Maastricht University is committed to implementing the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, using the HR Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) procedure.
The aim is to create an inspiring and stimulating workplace for researches through HRS4R, culminating in the recognition by the European Commission of human resources excellence in research.
You can read more in the following documents:
UM Internal Review for Award Renewal & Action plan 2022-2025
UM Recruitment and Selection guide
HRS4R Endorsement Letter
Internal Assessment Report November 2017
UM Strategy
For more information, contact Daphne Snackers, HR Policy Advisor
