Esdit Research Programme

ESDiT is a 10-year international research programme uniting seven academic institutions to conduct breakthrough research at the intersections of philosophy, technology, and society. Funded by the NWO Gravitation Programme, ESDiT seeks to develop a deep understanding of emerging technologies as socially disruptive forces, exploring how they challenge and reshape fundamental concepts and values that guide our social and political order. The programme is structured around nine research lines: Art; Conceptual Disruption; Democracy, Justice & Solidarity; Human Nature, Agency & Autonomy; Intercultural Philosophy; Nature & Sustainability; New Methods for Ethics; STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics); and Wellbeing, Health & Emotions. Together, these lines examine the broad societal, cultural, and philosophical implications of technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and climate engineering, aiming to inform responsible innovation and public engagement.