Join the ECCO PhD-cohort: Transform society through collaborative research

Are you passionate about strengthening democracy, empowering communities, and driving sustainable transitions? The ECCO project (Empowering Citizen COllectives in societal transitions) offers an exceptional opportunity to pursue your PhD as part of a groundbreaking research initiative that bridges academia and society.

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Why ECCO?

ECCO investigates how citizen collectives—grassroots organizations formed by citizens working together on shared goals—can become powerful drivers of societal change in areas like housing, work, income, and sustainability. You will explore how these collectives can partner effectively with governments to address today's most pressing challenges, from climate change to social inequality.

A cohort experience

You won't be working alone. You will start your journey alongside 10 fellow PhD candidates, forming a vibrant cohort that combines diverse expertise from multiple disciplines—from social psychology and urban planning to governance studies and design thinking. While you will be based at one of the Netherlands' leading universities (Erasmus University Rotterdam, Delft University of Technology, Utrecht University, University of Groningen, or Leiden University), you will collaborate regularly with the entire team through joint research days, workshops, and events.

What makes ECCO special?

• Real-world impact: Your research directly empowers citizen collectives and influences policy
• Innovative methods: Work with cutting-edge approaches like serious games, AI-powered modeling, and participatory action research
• Strong support network: Benefit from experienced supervisors, peer mentoring, and a dedicated coordination team
• Societal engagement: Present your work to practitioners, policymakers, and citizens—not just academics
• Career development: Build skills in transdisciplinary research, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge translation

Apply for one or several (up to 3) of the ECCO-PhD-positions and become part of a movement transforming how citizens, governments, and researchers work together to create a more just and sustainable society.

How to apply?