Policymaking for a radical time

The relationship between government and society is under pressure. Political impotence is influencing policymaking. Issues surrounding allowances, the handling of earthquake damage, questions surrounding Tata Steel, and the inability to find an administrative way out of the nitrogen maze set the tone. Meanwhile, problems are piling up in the physical domain: where will we build, how will we keep our feet dry, how will we organize our sustainable energy? Problems that demand vision and spatial planning choices. These are long-term issues, requiring the government to consider the public interest while also considering the diverse perspectives of citizens. The lack of compelling images of the future is more evident than ever. But how do you arrive at new, shared visions of the future in this era when disagreement seems to prevail?

At the heart of this year’s Mixed Classroom course is the idea of ​​”captured futures,” the notion that in the 21st century we are stuck in the aspirations and images of the 20th century. How did we arrive at our images “back then”? How can we, from professionals to citizens, now arrive at new, compelling visions of the future? Which policies are resilient in these radical times? Can public support be linked to future-proofing? And how should professionals and citizens deal with value-laden and controversial themes such as “justice” and “sustainability”?

In the Mixed Classroom ‘25-‘26, we will explore how government and society can recalibrate their relationship. We will focus on “futuring.” This approach centers on the process of shaping shared visions of the future; we will interweave what has increasingly become disconnected: knowledge, policy development, and citizen engagement. We question existing and emerging “techniques of futuring” on how they shape visions of the future. In the course, we teach the basic principles of futuring and also delve deeply into how “building a new imagination” connects with policy work and the realization of new “socio-technological configurations” in society. By mixing (a diverse group of) policymakers and students (from various disciplines), we create a learning environment where we can question each other: how do you arrive at your visions? How do you actually know what you know?

Participants will learn about concepts such as “Captured Futures,” “Techniques of Futuring,” the “Futures Prism,” “soft spaces,” and the “triple re-“ approach (re-imagining, re-coding, re-configuring), and will learn futuristic working methods. Throughout the program, we utilize the Mixed Classroom: policymakers and MSc students collaborate continuously, resulting in interesting mutual learning experiences. The course concludes with a public closing event on January 23, 2026.

This course is for policy officers working at the Ministries of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Interior and Kingdom Relations, Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, and Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK) and involved in transition issues. There are also a few spots available for other policy officers involved in this area.

Activists, artists, and local entrepreneurs involved in the theme of “transitions in a radical era” are also welcome.

This course consists of six mixed classroom sessions and a final event. Together, we’ll explore various forms of futuring, engaging with work from the Urban Futures Studio. Through focused guest lectures and interactive workshops, you’ll be inspired to actively consider the what and how of futuring within your own field and to connect with the other participants.

The program language is English. If you have any questions or concerns about participating, please feel free to contact us to discuss the possibilities.

Questions addressed include:

• What makes this era so radical and elusive?
• What “theory of change” often characterizes policy? Are there alternatives?
• How can citizen engagement be improved?
• What role do emotions play in policy? How can we deal with citizen anger and disappointment?
• Can a different “dramaturgy” help find solutions that are supported?

Course Prices

• The standard price for this course is €1500.
• This course is free for policy officers at the Ministries of Agriculture, Nature and Water Management, the Interior and Kingdom Relations, and Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.
• For activists, artists, and local entrepreneurs involved in the theme of “transitions in a radical era,” the price is €250.

Uiterste inschrijfdatum

De uiterste inschrijfdatum voor deze cursus is: 18 oktober 2025.

Thank you for your interest in the “Policy for a Radical Age” course. You can sign up using the registration button.

Course Prices

• The standard course price is €1,500.
• This course is free for policy officers at the Ministries of Agriculture, Nature and Water Management, the Interior and Kingdom Relations, and Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.
• For activists, artists, and local entrepreneurs involved in the theme of “transitions in a radical age,” the course price is €250.

PLEASE NOTE: The registration deadline for this course is October 18, 2025.