Rotterdam is in Erasmus University's DNA. Once founded by port barons, EUR has traditionally been closely linked to the city of Rotterdam. Rotterdam is like a laboratory where many metropolitan issues and social developments occur. Our scientists' and students' knowledge and skills can make a significant contribution to this. But the city also contributes to the development of new scientific knowledge.
Since 2010, the EUR has had a long-term partnership with the City of Rotterdam in which it has expressed to each other to cooperate in many areas. An example of this is the Knowledge Labs. The council of Rotterdam also plays an important role in the Convergence in which Erasmus MC, Erasmus University Rotterdam and TU Delft work together.
Publications related to the partnership
In order to learn from the partnership, an evaluative study took place in 2021, commissioned by Erasmus University Rotterdam and the Municipality of Rotterdam. See the report / summary Bevlogen grenswerk, begrensde nabijheid for the results of the study.
The knowledge infrastructure also inspired the council of Rotterdam to ask these partnerships to think about which topics are important for the new city government. It is unique in the Netherlands for such a local knowledge infrastructure to draw up a recommendation to realise the impact for the city from knowledge. The compilation Woorden ter inspiratie voor daden (words for inspirations to deeds) contains this advices.
All publications can be downloaded, see below.
Want to know more?
About cooperating in Rotterdam or with Erasmus University, please contact Marjolein Kooistra or Isabel van der Heiden of Regiegroep Samenwerking EUR - gemeente Rotterdam - for both external and internal parties. Both work at Academic Affairs.
Knowledge infrastructure Rotterdam
An extensive knowledge infrastructure has emerged over the past few years. Many research collaboration initiatives have gotten off the ground, such as CEPHIR, the Knowledge Labs (KWP) and Smart Port.
Knowledge Labs and other collaborations
Developing scientific and practical knowledge together and sharing this knowledge widely is essential for future-proofing the city and its port. Researchers and Rotterdam policymakers work together in Knowledge Labs and other partnerships on issues that are important for Rotterdam, and for the resilience of the city and its residents.
Major collaborative research projects in Rotterdam or the region
Examples of other research projects / collaborations in which the City of Rotterdam actively participates
Healthy Start (Erasmus University Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, TU Delft) - Healthy Start has the ambition to improve the future of new generations.
Contact: Dr. Karlijn Hermans
RUGGEDISED - European project for large-scale area development Rotterdam South
Contact: Prof. Eric van Heck
Citylab010 (City of Rotterdam) - supporting civic initiatives with knowledge
Contact: Andre Hendrikse
Grow It app - Erasmus MC, EUR, City of Rotterdam - This app gives young people aged 12 to 25 more insight into how they are feeling and provides them with a daily fun challenge to support them in their daily stress including during the corona crisis and beyond.
Contact: Prof. Manon Hillegers & Prof. Loes Keijsers
Students | Education
Our students are encouraged to engage more intensively with urban issues. The Erasmus Verbindt student initiative is part of the EUR strategy and aims to get students more involved in working on solutions to issues facing the city. In addition, Erasmus master's students can participate in the annual Rotterdam Thesis Award, which is awarded to a thesis relevant to Rotterdam. In the National City Deal program, both the City of Rotterdam and the EUR and other knowledge institutions participate to involve students in the city.
UNIC (European University of Post-Industrial Cities in Transition)
In 10 years, it will be natural for EUR students, faculty and researchers to attend and deliver lectures, conduct research and create knowledge throughout Europe. UNIC takes inclusion to the next level by taking the super-diverse environment that many of our students are part of as a given. By working with local partners in CityLabs, we not only bring 'science to the city' but also contribute to the development of local communities and city resilience.
City of Rotterdam is a major partner of UNIC University.
Contact: unic@eur.nl
Erasmus scientists in the city
Scientists can regularly be found in the city to share their knowledge with a wide audience. For example, every month there is Studio Erasmus in Arminius and there are annual events, including the Rotterdamlezing, Lof der Geneeskunst, and the Tiger lecture at the IFFR. Children are introduced to science through the activities of the Science Hub.
Rotterdam. Make It Happen brand coalition.
Erasmus University is one of the initiators of the Rotterdam. Make It Happen brand coalition that started in 2014. Since then, 33 leading Rotterdam organisations, so-called brand partners, have joined. Through brand positioning 'Rotterdam. Make it Happen.' This joint effort is made to increase Rotterdam's national and international appeal.
Smart, healthy, circular
By starting from a shared Rotterdam identity and mentality, a familiar tone, style and a common brand promise, the brand alliance aims to position Rotterdam in a challenging way. The coalition focuses on (international) profiling of the city among talent, businesses, visitors, investors, residents and students to contribute to economic value with social impact. The focus in recent years has been on Rotterdam as a smart, healthy and circular city.
E-mail contact brand alliance: marcel.latupeirissa@eur.nl