On February 1, 2026, the Macroscope research program officially launched. This project, funded by NWO, brings together partners from ODISSEI and CLARIAH, who will collaborate over the next five years to develop a new research infrastructure for the social sciences and humanities.
This infrastructure provides researchers with secure access to large volumes of sensitive, interconnected data for analysis. Its goal is to enhance the study of societal issues such as social inequality, media use, and trust in society. This will be achieved by combining different types of data, such as survey data, media data, and administrative records, supported by innovative analytical tools and AI.
The role of Centerdata and the LISS panel within the Macroscope
Centerdata plays a key role as the driving force behind the data collection component using online panels. The LISS panel is central to this, enabling the collection of reliable and representative data from the Dutch population.
In the coming years, Centerdata will work to further strengthen the LISS panel with a focus on:
- Improving sampling and recruitment, with extra attention to groups that are currently harder to reach.
- Developing tools to better plan research and estimate expected data quality in advance.
A key principle is that innovation goes hand in hand with quality. Centerdata is committed to maintaining long-term participant engagement while ensuring the reliability and quality of the data collected through the panel.
Collaboration within the Macroscope
Centerdata’s work is closely connected with that of other partners within the Macroscope. Within this collaboration, development focuses on areas such as new methods of data donation, making large volumes of media data accessible, and creating analytical tools and AI applications.
Through this collaboration, the infrastructure for combining different types of data is gradually expanding. This provides researchers with new opportunities to better understand societal developments.
Looking ahead
In the coming years, the LISS panel will continue to focus on both innovation and practical application. In this way, Centerdata contributes to an innovative and future-proof research infrastructure in the Netherlands.
