KIN was founded thanks to the dedication of a number of driven scientists, administrators, and advisors. We spoke with seven key figures who have been involved with KIN from the start. In this interview, they share their reflections on the launch of KIN, its growth, the current state of affairs, and their hopes for the future of KIN.
The first steps: An ambitious start
KIN started as an ambitious plan, supported by a diverse group of scientists and stakeholders. Heleen de Coninck recalls the founding phase clearly: “It was a radical idea, focused on using knowledge to serve people across society who are engaged in transitions, and fostering collaboration rather than competition within science.
It began with the realisation that science in the Netherlands is currently falling short when it comes to accelerating the system transitions it itself calls for.”
Gerard van der Steenhoven, who has been involved in the steering committee from the start, saw the same drive. “In the Taskforce, we chose to fundamentally deviate from how science in the Netherlands was used to operating. This caused some resistance, but the enthusiasm among those involved kept us going.” According to Jan de Boer, who helped shape the original vision for integrated climate research, KIN started as ‘a Taskforce with a high-level plan and great ambitions’. Although much development was still needed, the potential of KIN was immediately clear to everyone involved.
Growth of KIN: Ambition and perseverance
The growth of KIN has been impressive and comprehensive, and this is confirmed by everyone involved. Michiel van den Hout describes this growth as ‘jerky but steadily moving forward.’ He explains, “The foundation we have laid is solid. Sometimes things progress surprisingly quickly, such as the establishment of new working groups and the rapid increase in our visibility. On the other hand, there are processes that take longer, such as the opening of new funding instruments.” Despite the varying pace of progress, enthusiasm is clearly present.
For Gerard, the most significant growth is visible in the way KIN has evolved from an idea to an active player in the field. “We have a first work programme that has started, and we are constantly working on new working methods to achieve our goals even faster. The involvement of a wide range of young professionals especially gives me the sense that we have a strong future ahead.”
Martijn Bart emphasises the growth on multiple fronts: “If I had to describe the growth of KIN in three words, they would be ‘content, network, and practice’. We have now built much more substantive knowledge in the field of systems thinking. Our network has expanded tremendously, not just within the Netherlands, but also internationally. And we are beginning to put into practice what we have in mind, such as the launch of the first working groups within the Pact.”
Linda Steg sees the growth also in terms of collaboration. “One of the most beautiful aspects of KIN is that we are now involving a broader group of societal partners. It is important that we do not only work within science, but also engage society in our plans. That was the goal from the beginning, and I am pleased that we are now taking steps in that direction.”
Reflecting on the growth and highlights, Sanli Faez mentions the appointment of the scientific figurehead as a significant milestone. “That was one of the moments when I felt that KIN was really being taken seriously. It gave us the visibility and the confidence that we are on the right path.” With this growth
and many successes, KIN has not only gained recognition, but also taken concrete steps towards accelerating system transitions in the Netherlands.
Did KIN become what we expected?
These seven key figures agree that KIN has both fulfilled and
fallen short of their initial vision. They acknowledge that working on system transitions is complex and often does not follow a linear path of development. Jan observes that the visibility and engagement of KIN are impressive, but he had hoped they would have made more progress with tangible results by now: “That’s a challenge, but also a reality when working on system transitions.” Linda Steg adds that KIN is still evolving: “We want to do things radically differently, and that brings uncertainty. Not everything we try will succeed, but that’s precisely the essence of innovation.” Gerard van der Steenhoven views the unexpected developments as a sign of strength: “The working methods we are now developing are different from what I anticipated, but that shows we are flexible and open to new approaches.”
What message do we want to pass on to KIN?
Martijn highlights the importance of creativity and perseverance in KIN’s continued development. “We are part of the very system we aim to change. That’s why we must always reflect on our work and remain open to new ideas.” Linda agrees: “It’s amazing to see how many people are dedicated to KIN, but we must not forget that we are working together towards a greater goal. KIN must deliver societal impact, not just academic publications.” Gerard encourages the team to stay true to their vision. “Keep fighting for our concepts with courage and determination. There will be setbacks, but in the end, this is how we truly contribute to a better society.”
Hopes for the coming year
Heleen hopes that KIN will continue to develop over the coming year and truly put society in the lead. “We have now laid the foundations. KIN feels like a window of opportunity. This chance can only be seized by genuinely making a difference for people who currently feel barely supported by science.” Sanli shares this hope and sees opportunities for growth: “We need to further promote KIN’s name and methods to other institutions and scale up our activities. The potential is enormous, but we need to take the next step now.”
Michiel hopes that KIN will continue to develop as a place where scientists and societal partners can connect. “We must keep working on impactful projects that you could say wouldn’t have been possible without KIN.” Finally, Jan hopes that KIN will continue to grow in both size and impact: “We have achieved a lot, but we now need to build on that foundation and show that the pledges of our Pact partners truly translate into meaningful action.” Gerard encourages the team to remain committed to their vision. “Keep fighting for our concepts
with courage and determination. There will be setbacks, but ultimately, this is how we genuinely contribute to a better society.”
With this shared outlook on the future, the strength of KIN remains in the hands of these dedicated individuals. Their enthusiasm and determination form the heart of what KIN is and where it is headed.
Who are these seven key figures?
Jan de Boer
Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Amsterdam, Chair of the ENW domain at NWO, Member of the Board of Directors (RvB) at NWO, Portfolio holder for KIN
Jan de Boer is a Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Amsterdam, but ironically, his research has nothing to do with climate. He studied in Groningen, obtained his PhD in Utrecht, and spent nearly six years as a postdoc in the United States.
In 2021, Jan initiated the discussion within the ENW domain
on integrated climate research, which led to a vision document,
an advisory report, and eventually the establishment of KIN.
Sanli Faez
Associate Professor at the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Co-founder of Lili’s Proto Lab, Open Science Lead at KIN
Physicist Sanli Faez is a researcher at the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Open Science Lead at the Climate Research Initiative Netherlands (KIN), and a board member of the Young Academy. He is a co-founder of the Climate Helpdesk and strives for a more just and sustainable academy, partly through the creation of open-source hardware in the fields of diagnostics, energy storage, and nanophotonics. Sanli has been involved with KIN since the first meeting in April 2022, initially as a member of the Taskforce and later as a member of the steering committee.
Martijn Bart
Senior Climate Policy Officer at KNAW
Martijn is an ecologist with a background in research on deep-sea corals and sponges. He has now worked for 2.5 years at the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), where he is responsible for the activities related to climate that the KNAW organises. This includes the establishment of KIN, as well as various webinars and meetings. Martijn has been involved since 2022, initially in a supportive role for the Taskforce, then as secretary of the working group on programmes/focus areas and the steering group, and is now a policymaker at KNAW.
Gerard van der Steenhoven
Special Advisor at the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK), Part-time Professor at the University of Twente, Chair of the Steering Group at KIN
Gerard van der Steenhoven led the KNMI (Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute) until 2023 and has since been active as a board member, supervisor, and advisor for several organisations, including KIN, DCC, TNO, Sonnenborgh, and Springtij. He is also involved in institutional reviews and delivers public lectures and courses on climate change. Since 2022, Gerard has been involved with KIN as vice-chair of the Taskforce, vice-chair (and later chair) of the ‘steering committee in formation,’ and is now serving as chair of the ‘steering committee post-establishment.’
Linda Steg
Professor of Environmental Psychology at the RUG
Linda Steg is a Professor of Environmental Psychology at the University of Groningen. She researches the factors that influence sustainable behaviour and the acceptance of strategies to promote it. She is a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), the European Academy of Sciences, and the Netherlands Scientific Climate Council, and served as a lead author for the IPCC report on 1.5°C and AR6. Since 2022, Linda has been involved as vice-chair of the Taskforce, chair of the pre-Pact working group, and is now serving as chair of the Strategy and Advisory Council.
Michiel van den Hout
General Director at KIN
Michiel is responsible for the daily operations, long-term strategy, and representation of KIN. With a background in bionanophysics and extensive experience in project management, public-private partnerships, and strategic advice, he bridges the gap between science, policy, and innovation. Michiel has been involved since 2021, when the PCNI (Permanent Committee for the National Institutes) advised NWO and KNAW on a ‘new-style institute’ for climate research. He initially served as a quartermaster and has been the managing director since early 2024.
Heleen de Coninck
Professor at TU Eindhoven and Radboud University,
Deputy Chair at the Netherlands Scientific Climate Council
Heleen is a professor of Socio-Technical Innovation and Climate Change at TU Eindhoven. She is also a professor of System Transitions and Climate Change at Radboud University. Her research focuses on international climate policy, energy technology and innovation, and system transitions, with a specific focus on climate policy for energy-intensive industries in the Netherlands. Heleen has been involved since 2022, initially as chair of the Taskforce that developed the first proposal and chair of the steering committee. She is now co-chair of the Global Transitions Programme Committee.
Would you like to learn more about everything that kept us busy over the past year? Then read our first birthday magazine, full of milestones, inspiring stories, and a glimpse into our plans for the future!
