Strategic evening
During the annual Strategic Evening of NWO on 8 April 2026 NAC PI’s from across the Dutch EES community will have the opportunity to network, discuss and address relevant topics within the field. The evening is designed to strengthen the connections between the EES research community and NWO, as well as the community among themselves. We invite PI’s and group leaders, including tenure trackers, with the purpose to discuss policy-related topics and current developments relevant to the EES field and research community.
Theme Strategic Evening 2026: A resilient Earth and Environmental Sciences Community
In recent years, the EES community has been confronted with numerous—and often ongoing—hurdles. Yet despite these setbacks, the community has shown that it is resilient in facing these challenges by joining forces and working collectively.
Enhancing adaptation and transformation
To continue building a resilient EES community, we need to enhance our capacity for adaptation and transformation. Thinking ahead from a multidisciplinary perspective and joining forces are crucial in this regard. This can be fostered through sustainable collaborations between the EES field and its stakeholders. Enhanced adaptation and transformation can also be achieved through strong internal organisation and collective efforts in the procurement, maintenance and use of large-scale research infrastructures (LSRI).
Speakers sharing strategic perspectives
During this strategic evening, we will focus on the abovementioned themes, introduced by inspiring speakers who will share strategic perspectives. We will explore what is working well, where potential blind spots lie, and which opportunities we can seize to further strengthen resilience within the EES community. Expect a seated vegetarian/vegan friendly dinner, invited speakers, spark discussion and conversation.
Collecting input
The annual Strategic Evening at NWO NAC provides an inspiring and interactive programme and is hosted by the NWO Round Table Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES). The Round Table EES is looking forward to collecting valuable input.
Programme
Wednesday 8 April 2026
Location: NH Noordwijk Conference Centre Leeuwenhorst
| 15.00 | Hotel check-in opens | |
| 17.00 | Doors open Atrium Boulevard | Meet & greet with bites and drinks |
| 18.00 | Opening & Welcome Fabian Ercan (HAS) |
Evening moderator |
| 18.10 | Introduction Janne Koornneef (VU) |
Round Table EES |
| 18.30 | Starter | Get to know your dining companions during table conversations |
| 19.00 | Keynote Ute Sass-Klaassen (Van Hall Larenstein) |
Sustainable collaborations with stakeholders |
| 19.30 | Main course | Table conversations based on keynote & evening theme |
20.15
| Plenary Session
Presenters: Annemarie van Wezel (UU) Maarten Krol (WUR)
Furu Mienis (NIOZ) Ronald Pijnenburg (EPOS-NL) | Large Scale Research Infrastructures (LSRI)
NWO Permanent committee LSRI Embedding and continuation of LSRIs - Ruisdael Observatory Virtual Research Environment (ROVRE) User involvement- National Marine research Facilities (NMF) Connection to international LSRIs – European Plate Observation System – Netherlands (EPOS-NL) |
| 21.00 | Dessert | Reflective table conversations |
| 21.25 | Roderik van de Wal (UU) | Sector image EES |
| Recap & Closing | Evening Moderator | |
| 22.00 | After-party | Networking opportunity in the “Beach Bar” |