UNU Maastricht Economic and Social Research and Training Centre
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unumerit.bsky.social
UNU Maastricht Economic and Social Research and Training Centre
@unumerit.bsky.social
United Nations research centre, graduate school and innovation think tank. We promote international development through science, technology and public policy analysis. #UNUat50

➡️ https://unu.edu/merit
We are proud to announce Prof Dr Fiona Tregenna has been appointed as our next Director! A renowned economist and policy advisor, Professor Tregenna brings nearly three decades of experience in economic research, capacity development, and public policy.

Learn more: go.unu.edu/GLChK
June 17, 2025 at 3:31 PM
🌍The 2024/2025 Human Development Report highlights the importance of people-centred approaches to harness AI for equitable human development.

In this podcast, Pedro Conceição (UNDP) and Diego Salama (UNU-MERIT) reflect on AI, inequality and the future of development.

🎙️Listen here: go.unu.edu/ktpEV
May 27, 2025 at 8:39 AM
🎓 UNU-MERIT launches the Michael Cichon Graduate Award—honouring a global leader in social protection and celebrating outstanding master’s theses (2021–2024) with bold, evidence-based solutions.

In this article, Zina Nimeh reflects on his legacy and the vision behind the award.

🔗 go.unu.edu/ecEp4
May 14, 2025 at 3:39 PM
The UN Interagency Task Team on Science, Tech & Innovation for SDGs (with UNU-MERIT as partner) is hosting 3 online training sessions on STI policy for SDGs, for stakeholders from Africa and internationally.

🗓️ May 19, 21, and 26, 2025
🌐 Online
➡️ Register now: go.unu.edu/iQxiL
May 9, 2025 at 8:50 AM
As part of our Migration Management Training, we welcomed senior Gambian officials in February for a two-week programme on return, reintegration, and policy coordination.

In this blog, we reflect on the key takeaways—and how they can strengthen migration governance in practice.

📘 go.unu.edu/Gxepr
May 5, 2025 at 2:11 PM
What can universities learn from the pandemic to better support PhD students?

A new blog by Oksana Celbis, Mindel van de Laar, Vassiliki Papatsiba & Luke Windsor explores what helped—and how universities can offer better support going forward.

🔗 go.unu.edu/rWMYi
May 1, 2025 at 6:40 AM
🚨 Were COVID-19 vaccination rates in Africa underestimated?

In a new article on @voxdev.bsky.social, PhD fellow Yannick Markhof finds that survey estimates of vaccine coverage in sub-Saharan Africa are 47% higher than official data, suggesting faster progress than reported.

🔗 go.unu.edu/M48XW
April 23, 2025 at 10:03 AM
🌍 New Policy Brief: "The Nexus Between Climate Change, Human Mobility, and Mental Health"

This brief highlights the mental health challenges of climate-displaced populations and calls for urgent action on support, empowerment, and tech-driven policy change.

Read here: go.unu.edu/gQrX8

#UNUat50
April 16, 2025 at 3:33 PM
What motivates someone to return — and how do past journeys and future hopes shape that decision?

In a new blog, Dr Talitha Dubow reflects on return migration as part of the broader migration lifecycle, following her presentation at DTenV's “Science Day” in Utrecht.

📄 go.unu.edu/bXPak

#UNUat50
April 14, 2025 at 10:39 AM
How do we measure the success of Lifelong Learning in Higher Education?

Join Cristina Mancigotti on 15 April as she discusses the evaluation and impact of Lifelong Learning at Maastricht University, focusing on challenges and innovative assessment methods.

📍 UNU-MERIT & online
🔗 go.unu.edu/VilWI
April 8, 2025 at 12:18 PM
🌍 Can behavioural science help us cope with the mental health impacts of climate change?

On 11 April, our researcher Dr Sanae Okamoto will speak at UN Behavioural Science Week 2025 on shaping people-centred responses through behavioural science.

📍 Online | 🕒 15:00–16:00 CEST
🔗 go.unu.edu/D1c3V
April 3, 2025 at 9:42 AM
🎉 UNU-MERIT Research Week is underway!

This week, our academic community gathers to exchange ideas and advance research. Join Prof. Alexander Cappelen (NHH) for a keynote on global inequality & fairness views across 60 countries.

📅 19 March, 14:00 CET | 📍 UNU-MERIT & Online
🔗 go.unu.edu/0XsdB
March 17, 2025 at 2:46 PM
💡This #InternationalWomensDay, we highlight the need for stronger care policies and shifting gender norms to advance #GenderEquality.

Matilde João Mota and Zina Nimeh share insights on the challenges ahead and the policies needed for real progress.

#UNUat50 #UNU4SDG5 #IWD2025 #ForAllWomenAndGirls
March 7, 2025 at 10:39 AM
#VACANCY: Operations and Finance Assistant (GS-5)

Become part of UNU-MERIT! We seek a detail-oriented professional to support finance, admin, HR, and procurement in an international academic environment.

📅 Apply by: 23 March 2025
🔗 go.unu.edu/X1gLq

#UNJobs #UNCareers
February 27, 2025 at 9:34 AM
📢 Final Call: Apply Now!

Join us in Maastricht, 2–6 June 2025, for the ITU Summer School on Digital Policy.

Co-organised with support from the EU’s #GlobalGateway, this course builds skills to design and assess ICT policies for universal connectivity.

📅 Apply by 2 March: go.unu.edu/yDNOk
February 25, 2025 at 10:28 AM
#VACANCY: Operations and Finance Assistant (GS-5)

We seek a detail-oriented Operations & Finance Assistant to support compliance, finance, and operations, ensuring efficiency and adherence to UNU policies in an international academic setting.

📅 Apply by: 23 March 2025
➡️ go.unu.edu/X1gLq

#UNJobs🇺🇳
February 21, 2025 at 8:13 AM
📢 MACIMIDE Annual Work Conference 2024 – Report Out Now!

On 23 Sept 2024, MACIMIDE held its 11th Annual Work Conference with support from Studio Europa Maastricht. This year’s theme was Europe and the societal impact of research on migration, mobility, and development.

📄 bit.ly/4hXzsLn

#UNUat50
February 12, 2025 at 3:40 PM
"Women in science continue to break barriers, yet challenges remain in achieving true equity, from representation in leadership to access to funding".

For #IDWGS, Dr Ortrun Merkle discusses gender gaps in research and how institutions can drive lasting change.

💡 bit.ly/3EzfwzQ

#WomenInScience
February 11, 2025 at 9:39 AM
📢 Welcoming MMTG Participants to Maastricht

Today, we welcome senior Gambian civil servants for the MMTG training on migration and asylum policy. Participants will join lectures, sessions & a Brussels field visit over two weeks.

Funded by the EU via ICMPD’s Migration Partnership Facility.
February 10, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Can trust in non-state actors influence public support for immigration?

At our next Migration Seminar, Carlos Vargas-Silva (@ox.ac.uk) discusses how trust in international organisations & civil society shapes attitudes toward migration policies.

📆 Wed 12 Feb, 16:00 CET| Online
💡 bit.ly/418tkKk
February 8, 2025 at 6:11 PM
How do new technologies reshape skills and workers' careers?

In our next seminar, Anna Salomons (@utrechtuniversity.bsky.social) discusses how digital transformation shape workforce skills,career trajectories, and firm innovation.

📅 Thu 6 Feb, 12:00 CET
📍 UNU-MERIT & online
🔗https://bit.ly/3Q2Lreq
February 3, 2025 at 9:11 AM
⏰ DEADLINE EXTENDED: UNU-MERIT Director (D-1)

Applications remain open for the Director (D-1) role at UNU-MERIT 🇺🇳. Lead a globally recognised institute at the intersection of academia and the UN, shaping research, education, and partnerships.

Deadline: 14 February 2025
Apply now: buff.ly/3Dz8ZEU
January 30, 2025 at 11:32 AM
⏳ Deadline Approaching!

Apply for UNU-MERIT’s PhD Programme in Innovation, Economics, Governance & Sustainable Development.

✅ Full-time & dual career tracks
📅 Starts: September 2025
⏰ Deadline: 15 February 2025

Join a dynamic research community shaping policy impact.

🔗 Apply now: bit.ly/4fROa5t
January 24, 2025 at 2:29 PM
🌍 Can citizen-led initiatives drive a just energy transition?

In the Netherlands, 700+ cooperatives have led the shift—from 1970s protests to today’s solar & wind projects.

UNU-MERIT’s René Kemp & Job Zomerplaag explore this evolution, collaboration, and the challenges.

📖Read more: bit.ly/40pmPl3
January 23, 2025 at 4:36 PM
⏳ TWO WEEKS LEFT TO APPLY: Director of UNU-MERIT

UNU-MERIT is seeking its next Director (D-1) to lead research, education, & global partnerships at the intersection of academia and the United Nations system.

🗓️ Apply by: 31 January 2025
📍 Maastricht, Netherlands
🌐 Learn more: buff.ly/3Dz8ZEU
January 17, 2025 at 9:47 AM