Convergence Year Review 2024
TU Delft, Erasmus MC and Erasmus University Rotterdam
No single discipline can independently solve the complex problems of our society. As academic institutions with firm roots in our region, we – TU Delft, Erasmus MC and Erasmus University Rotterdam – are committed to find solutions for these societal challenges. This is why we have joined forces in Convergence. In this partnership, we converge (connect and integrate) complementary and interdisciplinary knowledge, methodologies and data with insights from practice and shared learning.
For instance, we work together on solutions to reduce the pressure on healthcare and to mitigate the impact of climate change on pandemics, citizens, city and port. We engage students, nurses, policymakers, as well as partners from industry and society. This transdisciplinary approach enables us to develop new knowledge (domains) and accelerate innovation.
In 2024, the Convergence community witnessed significant changes: in the board, in the programme management teams and in the Convergence Office.
In the wake of the Convergence Working Conference on 27 October 2023, the Convergence Executive Board received advice from several advisory groups, including an advice on the Vision and Ambitions for Transformative Education and Research.
Under the leadership of a newly appointed director, a new governance model and a new organisational structure were developed to further expand and facilitate collaboration within Convergence. This redesign is aimed at fostering intensified collaboration at both the operational and functional level. In addition, the Office has worked on plans to restructure its activities in line with the new governance model and organisational structure.
The Convergence institutions have also developed plans that are linked to Convergence, such as TU Delft’s plans for Campus Rotterdam and the 2050 Master Plan for a Health Tech Campus at Erasmus MC.
Other 2024 Convergence milestones
Education
Healthy Start developed the Local to Global course, in which students explore the impact of global challenges on local communities under the guidance of partners from civil society. The Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness Centre (PDPC) organised a Winter School on transdisciplinary and transformative research for PhDs and Postdocs.
Resilient Delta
In a study commissioned by the Dordrecht municipality, Resilient Delta examined the feasibility of developing the Maasterras as a green, sustainable residential area, to be used as a shelter in the eventuality of extreme floods.
Resilient Delta signed an MoU with the Dutch Association of Insurers for climate-adaptive building and living.
In collaboration with several partners, our programmes contributed to Summer Schools, such as the TU Delft Summer School Planning & Design for the Just City on equitable and responsible water management, the Erasmus MC Summer School on Spaces for Care | The Consultation Room of the Future and the International Summer School on One Health and climate adaptation. To equip students with the tools to solve complex social problems, Resilient Delta partnered with Erasmus Connects to bring practice to the lecture hall.
Serving as a conduit for valuable insights, students developed practical tools for instant use by professionals and youngsters. For instance, they investigated the waste yield of an endoscopy, offered a fresh perspective at youth participation in municipal policy making, conceptualised the ‘idea dinner’ as a method for participation in youth hubs in Rotterdam, and designed a set of maps to help policy advisers at the municipality of Rotterdam how to think and act from the perspective of young people. During a 24-hour marathon challenge, ten multidisciplinary student teams collaborated to explore creative ideas to make the port of Rotterdam more sustainable and efficient.
Health & Technology
Health & Technology gathered diverse partners, such as GGD Rijnmond, the municipality of Rotterdam and students to discuss what the curriculum of a new transdisciplinary research master’s in Sustainable Health should include.
Health & Technology opened two new labs in 2024. In the MOBI Lab, technology and knowledge are combined with insights from the clinic to treat osteoarthritis earlier and in a more targeted manner. In the Capture Lab, a robotic microscope is being developed that will think along with the surgery team during operations.
Research
2024 witnessed many collaborations with various partners to contribute to societal impact and to strengthen the network. For instance, the AI Port Center joined forces with Port of Moerdijk for an innovation roadmap for the port. Resilient Delta launched a five-year research programme with University of São Paulo (USP) on the challenges of riverine cities in Brazil and the Netherlands. Korean Minister of Science & ICT Lee Jong-Ho paid a visit to H&T Flagship Consultation Room of the Future.
Launch of programmes, labs and other facilities
In 2024, H&T launched three Sustainable Health Programmes. Resilient Delta set up the Heat Lab Rotterdam with other partners for solutions to rising temperatures in the city. AI, Data & Digitalisation (AIDD) launched the Feminist Generative AI Lab for research into an alternative and more inclusive approach to generative AI, and the Immersive Technology Lab for immersive technologies that can transform the way we perceive, interact and communicate with the world and with one another. An fMRI scanner was unveiled at Erasmus MC for Convergence research.
AI, Data & Digitalisation
AIDD launched the MKB (SME) Data Studio to guide medium and small-sized enterprises, to digitilise and optimize their data with assistance from students.
Also, AIDD launched a project with the Municipality of Rotterdam aimed at improving the liveability and management of urban space.
Calls issued by the programmas
Calls from the programmes led to four Catalyzer projects at the AI Port Center, 14 Kick-Start projects to help young researchers in research with societal impact, 38 Accelerator projects to speed up the translation of scientific research into practical applications and 10 Sprint projects to offer new generations a healthy start. In addition, there was also funding for the CLimateHUB stakeholder network Climate adaptation and mosquito-transmitted infectious diseases for the Rotterdam-Rijnmond region.
Subisidies
Research projects involving our programmes successfully attracted external funding. For instance, research on the impact of school closures during pandemics received 900,000 euros. The DE-CIST project received one million euros for research into AI technology that contributes to sustainable housing and inclusive energy transition. The PortCall Zero project and follow-up research to the Generation R project received four million euros each. The Region Deal Financing for Smart Delta Drechtsteden received 25.5 million euros and 17.7 million euros were made available for a project to improve the quality of life, living and working in the Waterweg Region.
Sam Riedijk, associated with Healthy Start, and Steven Flipse from Resilient Delta, have been awarded a two-year TU Delft Convergence Education Fellowship for transdisciplinary projects.
Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness Center
PDPC published a knowledge agenda on resilience in healthcare and a report on the crucial role of a strong social infrastructure in crises.
PDPC organised two simulation exercises in which interdisciplinary teams of scientists worked on an avian influenza scenario.
Publications and tools
PDPC researchers contributed to a book on Covid-19 control measures in Europe and published several scientific articles. Healthy Start published a report on how youth and adolescent participation is implemented in Rotterdam. The programmes also developed practical tools, such as online lessons for primary schools on mental health and a card game to facilitate brainstorming in large research projects.
Community building
In order to engage societal stakeholders, several meetings were held, such as the second PDPC Conference, an expert meeting on the financial challenges and opportunities of climate change in the Dutch delta, a meeting on innovation in the regulated healthcare system, a networking meeting on low-cost solutions for home rehabilitation, a symposium on feminist AI, a matchmaking event for research on the economics of pandemic and disaster preparedness, colloquia on the Ambitions of Healthy Start and a brainstorming session with students on mental wellbeing. Besides, a collaboration was initiated with Wijkwijs, a platform that connects residents of Rotterdam with scientists to conduct research in their city.
Healthy Start
In collaboration with other partners, Healthy Start developed an Impact Narrative Tool to improve communication on the impact of research projects or policy interventions.
Together with other partners, Healthy Start researchers developed a theatre production on mental health and opportunity inequality among young people.
Richard Goossens, Academic Lead at H&T, delivered a lecture on The consultation room of the future for Lof der Geneeskunst (Praise of Medicine). Healthy Start created a podcast series in which researchers discuss their projects with their (societal) partners. Convergence also participated in the Impact Inspiration Fair of the Societal Impact Days at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
