In the Science Communication 2025 call of the Dutch Research Agenda (NWA), sixteen innovative projects have been awarded funding to make science accessible to a wide audience. One of these projects is from the Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Center (PDPC) and the Erasmus MC. This project focuses on the development of science communication strategies and complementary measures surrounding school closures in the event of future virus outbreaks and other health crises, with a specific focus on secondary Vocational Education and Training (MBO) students and scientists.

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that school closures have a major impact on education and social development. The extent of this impact on secondary Vocational Education and Training (MBO) students will be researched with an inclusive approach by integrating diverse perspectives and promoting dialogue between scientists and societal actors. The project aims to strengthen trust and mutual understanding through a participatory workshop and co-creation of measures and communication strategies. Based on the input, the project aims to make a sustainable impact and disseminate results through presentations and reports. The project will not only increase scientific knowledge, but also preparedness and resilience in future crises.

Applicants and partners of this project

The applicants of the project are Tomris Cesuroglu (PDPC Academy, project lead), Charlotte Waltz (Erasmus School of Social Sciences and Behaviour), Marjoleine van der Meij (Athena Institute, VU Amsterdam), Lois van Eck (PDPC Academy), Anja Schreijer (PDPC Academy) and Patrica Bruijning-Verhagen (UMC Utrecht). Other project partners include the Erasmus MC, Erasmus University Rotterdam and SEO Economic Research. Cooperation with partners such as the Secondary Vocational Education and Training (MBO) Council, JOB MBO and AJN Youth Doctors Netherlands ensures broad representation and involvement of the target groups.

The PDPC also researches the impact of high school-school closures in the PRESENT project. Read more about PRESENT here.