Where regulation was once primarily focused on clear, defined organizations, it now often encompasses 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 polarization is increasing. Additionally, 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:

• Supervision Practices: What new approaches to supervision, inspection, and enforcement may be needed? 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.
• Supervision of New Organizational Forms, such as Networks: As value creation shifts to multi-organizational networks with diverse participants under different regulators, traditional models fall short. This complexity calls for a new supervision paradigm. What new supervision structures can lead to more effective and legitimate regulation?
• Citizen Involvement: How can regulators reshape their relationship with citizens? Topics include strategies for active citizen engagement, citizen-centered supervision, building public trust and legitimacy (with specific attention to groups of citizens in vulnerable positions).
• The Role of Regulators in Society: Should regulators reconsider their role and powers in the public and political sphere? Topics include the independence of regulators, institutional barriers to effective, responsive, legitimate supervision, problem-solving/public value-oriented supervision, interaction with the media and the public sphere, reputation management.

We focus on research using various methodological approaches. Papers can be empirical or theoretical/conceptual. We welcome papers from public administration, political science, law, criminology, economics, sociology, psychology, and any other relevant discipline (as well as interdisciplinary papers).

Submitting a Paper Proposal

Submitting the paper proposal is possible via email to l.a.fahy@uu.nl by 1-5-2025, no later than 00:00 CET. 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 indicating the subject, theme, and scope of the research
• The email address of the co-author (if applicable).

Important Dates

May 1, 2025: Closing Call for Papers
May 26, 2025: Symposium registration open, announcement of paper acceptance
November 3, 2025: Deadline for submission of completed papers
November 17, 2025: Future-Proof Regulation: Navigating complexity in regulatory oversight (academic researcher sessions)
November 18, 2025: Future-Proof Regulation: Exploring adaptive supervision (practitioner sessions)

Questions?

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

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

Organization

This symposium is organized by NWO in consultation with the Bureau Inspectieraad, from the projects funded by the NWA program Innovation of Supervision:

• Toezicht met Gezag: The authoritative reputation of inspection services in turbulent times - project leader Prof. Dr. Judith van Erp, Utrecht University
• Reflexive regulation using narrative methods of service to vulnerable persons (the RUN study) - project leader Prof. Dr. Anne Margriet Pot, Erasmus University
• Methods and modalities for external and internal supervision of organizational networks aimed at complex societal issues (EISON) – project leader Prof. Dr. Patrick Kenis, Tilburg University
• Innovation of supervision; towards responsive supervision practices - project leader Prof. Dr. Judith van Erp, Utrecht University

National Science Agenda Program

The basis for the creation and renewal of the National Science Agenda lies with citizens. In the NWA program, the connection between society and science is essential. Governments, researchers, social organizations, and citizens develop and utilize knowledge together to achieve scientific and societal impact. Through science communication, knowledge is shared in society to increase involvement in and trust in science.