Rathenau Instituut

Independent knowledge on socially responsible science, technology and innovation

The Rathenau Instituut is an independent knowledge institute contributing to socially responsible science, technology and innovation (STI). The institute stimulates public debate, supports political decision-making on STI, and increases insight into how the science system works. The Rathenau Instituut supports the work of politicians and policymakers with both requested and unrequested insights to both chambers of the Dutch parliament and the European Parliament, and contributes to round-table discussions and technical briefings. Alongside its own work programme, the institute also conducts research at the request of ministries, governments and public organisations.

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VideoPhotography

The Rathenau Instituut digs deep into (digital) societal developments and always takes every perspective into account. The digitalisation of our society is a great example. Digitalisation brings many wonderful things with it, but also comes with plenty of risks and uncertainties. How do we think about ethics and privacy? What is the impact on society? How do we prevent exclusion, when more than 2 million people in the Netherlands already struggle with the digital world? To enable this conversation online too, Astrolads helps make research, citizen panels and stories shareable.

Video

Dialogue programme captured through an in-depth aftermovie and street interviews

What better way to capture a dialogue programme than by also engaging in conversation through video with all layers of those involved. From researchers to passers-by — what do people really think about the digital society and how do they look at the future? During Rathenau's showcase event we spoke with people involved in the programme and started conversations with the local population about their insights and experiences with this theme, through street interviews and approaching people in the local library.

Citizen panel on the digital future captured in images

Photography

Citizen panel on the digital future captured in images

At the Puddingfabriek in Groningen, the Rathenau Instituut sat down with citizens from Groningen and Drenthe to discuss the impact of digitalisation on social relationships. Part of the Dialogue programme on the digital future, in which researchers travel the country to talk with citizens about their hopes and concerns around the digital society. We were there to capture the day in photography: from the Tech Expo where participants encountered new technologies, to the group conversations about love, friendship, family and loss, and the visual reports of the desired future visions.