About WASS
WASS is responsible for supporting the training and development of early-stage researchers (PhD candidates and postdocs). We stimulate high-quality research and supervision and foster an enabling research environment for internationally oriented scholars from diverse academic backgrounds.
WASS Strategy
Our mission is to explore and understand societal processes to improve the quality of life. WASS researchers work across the social and life sciences and at multiple scales, combining solid empirical work with (inter)disciplinary approaches. We address global challenges in areas such as equality and justice, responsible production and consumption, innovation, health, human-nature relations, biodiversity, science and knowledge, policy, and public engagement. Researchers also contribute to advancing theory and methodology within their fields and across disciplines.
WASS organises a flexible and varied training programme, including advanced knowledge courses, skills courses, summer schools, interdisciplinary modules, master classes and workshops. The programme is updated each year to meet the needs of our PhD community and to reflect emerging research fields and methodological developments. WASS also runs a visiting researcher programme and a junior travel grant scheme for PhD candidates and postdocs. We actively engage in setting standards for good supervision at Wageningen University and, together with the other graduate schools, organise an extensive training package for PhD supervisors. WASS provides dedicated support and advice to both PhD candidates and supervisors throughout the research journey.
WASS fosters a collaborative and reflective academic environment. WASS fellows from all participating groups jointly contribute to organising training and summer schools for our PhD candidates. Our training programme is flexible: PhD candidates may also participate in PhD courses outside Wageningen. For in-depth courses in disciplines where the critical mass is too small, WASS cooperates with other national graduate schools such as the Interuniversity Centre for Educational Sciences (ICO), the N.W. Posthumus Institute (Research School for Economic and Social History) and the Netherlands Institute of Government (NIG). With the other graduate schools at Wageningen University, we co-organise an extensive skills and competences training programme for all PhD candidates that prepares candidates for diverse career paths.
Governance
Scientific Director
The Scientific Director leads the WASS office, shaping and carrying out the School’s plans, policy and activities. The Scientific Director represents WASS within Wageningen University and beyond, and takes part in several WUR committees and councils, including the SSG Departmental Council.
Current Scientific Director: Professor Dr Han Wiskerke
Scientific Director
The Scientific Director leads the WASS office, shaping and carrying out the School’s plans, policy and activities. The Scientific Director represents WASS within Wageningen University and beyond, and takes part in several WUR committees and councils, including the SSG Departmental Council.
Current Scientific Director: Professor Dr Han Wiskerke
WASS Board
The WASS Board sets the long-term direction and strategy, guided by the vision of WASS as a vibrant platform that connects researchers and enhances research quality. The Board includes WASS fellows, a PhD candidate and a representative of the PhD council. The chairs of the Learning and Development Committee and the Research Assessment Committee contribute as advisors to the Board.
Current composition:
Chair: Professor Dr Francisco Alpízar
Board member: Dr Nadia Bernaz
Board member: Professor Dr Rutgerd Boelens
Board member: Dr Bernice Bovenkerk
Board member: Professor Dr Marleen Onwezen
Board member: Chad Osorio
Board member: Representative PhD council
International Advisory Board
The International Advisory Board provides strategic guidance to both the WASS Board and the Scientific Director, offering expert advice on content, quality and management.
Learning and Development Committee
The Learning and Development Committee shapes the learning journey of WASS PhD candidates. Working closely with the WASS PhD programme manager, the Committee designs the Training and Supervision Plan and annually determines the training programme. The Committee also oversees the graduate programme for master's students.
Research Assessment Committee
The Research Assessment Committee organises the assessment of the PhD research proposals and advises the scientific director on admission to the graduate school.
WASS PhD council
The WASS PhD council brings the PhD community together by organising events, workshops and social gatherings. The Council also represents the WASS PhD candidates in the Wageningen Doctoral Council and the WASS Board.
Participating chair groups
WASS combines the research of the 25 chair groups in the domain of social sciences, humanities and interdisciplinary sciences.
Postal address
Wageningen School of Social Sciences
P.O. Box 8130
6700 EW Wageningen
The Netherlands
Email: wass@wur.nl
Wageningen UR courier number 47
Visiting address
Leeuwenborch, WUR building no 201
Hollandseweg 1
6706 KN Wageningen
Rooms 1046, 1047, 1048
WASS team
Follow WASS on social media
Stay up-to-date and learn more through our social channels.