Pressing societal transitions—such as the energy transition, increasing social diversity, fast-paced digitalisation and political fragmentation—profoundly affect the political, economic, legal and social fabric of our societies. They redistribute costs, opportunities, status and authority.

They place demands on institutions—courts, markets, schools, media, governments—that were not designed with them in mind. And they can give rise to divisions and inequalities and put democratic institutions to the test.

What we do 

Leiden University conducts research on a number of these transitions, drawing on insights from law, the humanities, and the social and behavioral sciences. The Social Transitions profile brings together academics working on these questions across disciplines, departments and faculties, creating a broader interdisciplinary network for exchange and new forms of collaboration across research, education and societal impact.

Areas of focus

The profile does not start from fixed assumptions about what different social transitions have in common. Instead, we propose several initial lines of enquiry. How do legal frameworks, political institutions, economic systems, public administration, education and the media hold up under rapid societal change? Who bears the costs of transitions, and what do redistributive struggles mean for trust in institutions? And how do societies navigate disagreements about political, legal and social values?

Through the network, we aim to develop and support joint activities and initiatives. One opening theme is dialogue. Researchers across Leiden have developed methods for facilitating dialogue on controversial issues, intended for its own student population as well as groups in society (schools, workplaces, associations etc.). We want to bring these initiatives together, explore opportunities for collaboration and research, and ask when and under what conditions dialogue is an effective instrument.

Join us

These areas of focus are not exhaustive. We invite colleagues to expand, refine and reshape them. Are you working on social transitions in your research, education or societal engagement? Join the network and let us know what questions, expertise or activities you would like to contribute.