The Knowledge Coalition

Host Alex Usher speaks with Marcel Levi, President of the Dutch Research Council and chair of the Netherlands’ Knowledge Coalition, about how the country built one of the world’s most collaborative and knowledge-intensive research ecosystems. Levi explains the origins of the Knowledge Coalition — an alliance of universities, research organizations, employers, and scientific institutions — and how it evolved from a government advisory body into a unified political voice defending research and higher education during recent funding cuts and populist attacks on universities. The conversation explores the Netherlands’ culture of institutional collaboration, the role of public advocacy in shifting political opinion, and how coordinated investments in interdisciplinary research, European partnerships, and innovation policy are shaping the future of Dutch and European science. 👉 Episode Links:S3 E6: Dutch Higher Education at a Crossroads with Marijk van der WendeDutch Research CouncilThe Knowledge CoalitionFocus Friday May 22, 2026: Register for Free