Monday, May 05, 2025

Call for Papers "Future-Proof Regulation Symposium" (17-18 November,) The Hague

 


I am pleased to pass along this CfP on behalf of Lauren Fahy (Utrecht University)

We are inviting papers for an international, academic symposium on the theme “Future-Proof Regulation” this 17-18 November in the Hague. The symposium will showcase academic research on how regulatory supervision can remain effective, legitimate, and responsive in the face of shifting public expectations and increasing complexity in private markets and public service delivery.

This symposium is hosted by the Inspection Council of the Netherlands and Dutch Research Council (NWO), as part of the Innovation of Supervision research program. It is organised in collaboration with Professor Patrik Kenis (Tilburg University), Professor Anne Margriet Pot (Erasmus University), Professor Judith van Erp and Dr Lauren Fahy (Utrecht University).

Read the full call for papers here: https://www.nwo.nl/en/news/call-for-papers-symposium-future-proof-regulation.

Important deadlines are:
15 May 2025: Call for Papers closes
30 May 2025: Conference registration opens, Notification of paper acceptance
19 September 2025: Conference registration deadline
3 November 2025: Completed papers deadline
17 November 2025: Future-Proof Regulation: Navigating complexity in regulatory oversight (academic researcher sessions)
18 November 2025: Future-Proof Regulation: Exploring adaptive supervision (practitioner sessions)
If you have any questions, please email Lauren Fahy at l.a.fahy@uu.nl.

We look forward to your contributions and to an exciting symposium in The Hague!

The CfP follows below.

 

Call for papers: Symposium – Future-Proof Regulation

On 17 and 18 November 2025, NWO will organise the Future-Proof Regulation Symposium. The central question during this symposium will be how regulations can respond to a changing society. In a world where markets are becoming more global, technological developments are accelerating and social expectations are changing, regulators must constantly review their approach. How can we make regulation ‘future-proof’ under these circumstances so that it remains effective, legitimate, independent, reflexive and responsive?

Whereas regulations used to be aimed primarily at clear, defined organisations, they now often involve complex networks of collaborating parties. This raises new questions about legitimacy and authority, especially now that trust in governments and experts is declining and political polarisation is increasing. In addition, the independence of regulators is no longer taken for granted, putting the balance between control and autonomy under pressure.

Purpose of the meeting

This symposium focuses on research into future-proof supervision. We specifically welcome submissions on:

  • Supervisory practices: What new approaches to supervision, inspection and enforcement may be necessary? Topics include: responsive, reflexive, adaptable and experimental regulation, methods for data collection, decision-making and learning, approaches to staff training and capacity building, interactive and participatory supervision.
  • Oversight of new organisational forms, such as networks: As value creation shifts to multi-organisational networks with diverse participants under different supervisors, traditional models fall short. This complexity calls for a new oversight paradigm. Which new oversight structures can lead to more effective and legitimate regulation?
  • Citizen engagement: How can regulators reshape their relationship with citizens? Topics include: strategies for active citizen engagement, citizen-centred regulation, building public trust and legitimacy (with specific attention to vulnerable groups of citizens).
  • The role of regulators in society: Should regulators reconsider their role and powers in the public and political sphere? Topics include: independence of regulators, institutional barriers to effective, responsive, legitimate oversight, problem-solving/public value-oriented oversight, interaction with the media and the public sphere, reputation management.

We are focusing on research that utilises different methodological approaches. The papers can be empirical or theoretical/conceptual. We welcome papers from the fields of public administration, political science, law, criminology, economics, sociology, psychology and any other relevant discipline (as well as interdisciplinary papers). 

Submitting a paper proposal

Paper proposals can be submitted by email to l.a.fahy@uu.nl

by 15-5-2025, 00:00 CET at the latest. The papers will be presented by the researchers in parallel sessions during the symposium. The paper proposals must contain the following information:

  • The abstract (no more than 300 words).
  • 3-5 keywords that indicate the subject, theme and scope of the research.
  • The e-mail address of the co-author (if applicable).

Important dates

15 May 2025: Closing date for Call for papers
30 May 2025: Symposium registration open, announcement of acceptance of papers
3 November 2025: Deadline for submission of detailed papers
17 November 2025: Future-Proof Regulation: Navigating complexity in regulatory oversight (academic researcher sessions)
18 November 2025: Future-Proof Regulation: Exploring adaptive supervision (practitioner sessions)

Questions?

For logistical questions about the location, travel, accommodation, etc., please contact Merel Groentjes at nwa-toezicht@nwo.nl

.
For questions about papers, panels, conference schedule, etc., please contact Lauren Fahy at l.a.fahy@uu.nl

.

Organisation

This symposium is being organised by NWO in consultation with the Bureau Inspectieraad, based on the projects funded by the NWA programme Renewal of Supervision:

Supervision with Authority

: The Authoritative Reputation of Inspection Services in Turbulent Times - project leader Prof. Judith van Erp, Utrecht University

Reflexive regulation using narrative methods of service provision to vulnerable persons (the RUN study)

- project leader Prof. Anne Margriet Pot, Erasmus University

Methods and modalities for external and internal supervision of organisational networks focused on complex social issues (EISON)

- project leader Prof. Patrick Kenis, Tilburg University

Innovation of supervision; towards responsive supervision practices -

project leader Prof. Dr Judith van Erp, Utrecht University

The Dutch Research Agenda (NWA) programme

Citizens are at the heart of creating and renewing the Dutch Research Agenda. The link between society and science is a key element of the NWA programme. Governments, researchers, civil society organisations and citizens work together to develop and use knowledge to achieve scientific and societal impact. And through science communication, knowledge is shared in society to increase engagement and trust in science.

 


No comments: