One of the projects, ‘Towards a National Centre for Shaping the Future of Physical Work’, will receive 38 million euros in kind and in cash, with NWO contributing €11.8 million, to conduct transdisciplinary research into the future of physical work over a 10-year period. It is coordinated by Prof. David Abbink (Delft University of Technology) and co-coordinated by Prof. Kristina Lauche (Nijmegen School of Management, Radboud University), Prof. Filippo Santoni de Sio (Eindhoven University of Technology) and Prof. Vanessa Evers (University of Twente).
Towards a National Centre for Shaping the Future of Physical Work
The research focuses on innovative solutions for people-centred physical work. Current working conditions not only take a heavy toll on individual workers, but also have a negative impact on the economy and society as a whole. Caring for patients, installing heat pumps, building new homes – physical work is crucial to tackling the societal challenges facing our country. Yet this work is often physically demanding, unattractive and sometimes even exploitative. The growing labour shortage is just one example of how the resulting challenges threaten our overall prosperity. Previous efforts to help those who carry out this essential work have been fragmented, slow and largely unsuccessful.
National Centre for the Future of Physical Work
This transdisciplinary research brings together key stakeholders, previous efforts and new partnerships in a sustainable, nationally coordinated initiative to make a difference for manual workers: the establishment of a National Centre for the Future of Manual Labour. In this centre, public and private partners, alongside robotics experts, designers, social and organisational scientists, and philosophers, will collaborate on technical, social and organisational innovations with and for workers. Lauche: “For decades, social scientists have been identifying the negative effects of technology on workers’ well-being – always after the event. With our transdisciplinary approach, we are stepping outside our comfort zone and developing new methodologies to explore possible futures and, in doing so, develop solutions together with workers, technicians and designers that will truly make a difference.”
Knowledge institutions and partners
In addition to Lauche, Professor Vera Blazevic, Associate Professor Roel Schouteten and lecturers Armand Smits and Bareerah Hoorani from Nijmegen School of Management are involved. Furthermore, in addition to Radboud University, the following research institutions and co-funding partners are involved: Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Twente, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Erasmus MC, TNO, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, Koninklijke Metaalunie, SMB Geveltechniek, VNO-NCW, Economic Board Zuid-Holland, RoboHouse and ArboUnie.
Congratulations to everyone on this fantastic achievement!
You can read the official NWO announcement here.
Alongside Prof. Kristina Lauche, Associate Professor Johan Mentink from the Faculty of Science, Mathematics and Computer Science (Radboud University) is involved as co-coordinator in the 10X-Factor(y) research project, which also receives NWO funding. The aim of this project is to position the Netherlands as a world leader in energy-efficient, brain-inspired computing and responsible technological innovation.