The use of highly tuneable, easily processable organic molecules for photovoltaics holds great promise for future low-cost and low-carbon energy production. One of the most powerful applications is in singlet-fission-sensitized photovoltaics (SFPV), which offers the potential to double the photocurrent collected in the blue-green region of the solar spectrum. Singlet fission (SF) is a manifestation of the unique spin properties of organic materials: in this phenomenon, a spin-singlet excited state separates into two low-energy spin-triplet excited states. In solar cells, this process can more efficiently harness high-energy photons to overcome thermalization limits. The impact of this technique would be especially profound in hybrid devices encompassing a SF ‘sensitizer’ and silicon. However, the precise mechanism of SF remains unclear, and the dynamics of triplet excitons and organic-inorganic interfaces are poorly understood. A clear understanding of the creation and the transfer of triplet excitons in these hybrid systems is necessary to realize the potential of SFPV. Recent studies have indicated the importance of nuclear dynamics for photophysical processes in organic materials. For instance it was found that SF is driven by vibronic coupling in pentacene. We will use pump-IR push-probe techniques to stimulate particular vibrational modes prior to and during triplet formation and investigate the nature of such vibronic coupling and its broader applicability. We aim to identify vibrational modes which help or hinder the SF rate. These techniques will also be extended to the transfer of triplet excitons from organic to inorganic material, with a focus on the vibrational properties of the triplet ‘host’ material and the ligands passivating the inorganic surface. The combination of these results will give a unified picture of the role of vibrational energy in SFPV dynamics and should lead to better photovoltaic devices in which excitations ‘surf’ on a wave of vibrations to the interface.

Data-driven political campaigns are on the rise. Concerns have been voiced that practices like online political microtargeting techniques are harmful for democracy. These concerns grew after the unexpected outcome of the US presidential elections in 2016, the Brexit vote in the UK, and several recent elections in Europe. However, it is unclear if data-driven campaigns using online microtargeting techniques are an actual threat to democracy. The project will focus on both the intended and unintended consequences of data-driven targeting and digital persuasion. In light of ongoing political and societal turmoil, investigating how citizens may be persuaded in a turbulent age and in a changing media landscape has never been more important. The study will focus on micro (consequences for citizens), meso (consequences for political elites), and macro level effects (consequences for democracy). The project will address four research questions: (RQ1) How do organizations shape elections campaigns by targeting potential voters online during elections? (RQ2) What are the constitutional and legislative frameworks shaping the extent and nature of data-driven campaigning in European countries? (RQ3) How are data-driven targeting practices perceived? (RQ4) To what extent do data-driven targeting practices actually affect voters? The project is novel as it (1) extends and empirically tests a theoretical framework of data-driven campaigning, while (2) using a mixture of research methods and a (3) comparative perspective. DATADRIVEN will offer a deeper understanding of online data-driven targeting techniques during elections in four European countries (i.e., Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and United Kingdom).

Data-driven political campaigns are on the rise. Concerns have been voiced that practices like online political microtargeting techniques are harmful for democracy. These concerns grew after the unexpected outcome of the US presidential elections in 2016, the Brexit vote in the UK, and several recent elections in Europe. However, it is unclear if data-driven campaigns using online microtargeting techniques are an actual threat to democracy. The project will focus on both the intended and unintended consequences of data-driven targeting and digital persuasion. In light of ongoing political and societal turmoil, investigating how citizens may be persuaded in a turbulent age and in a changing media landscape has never been more important. The study will focus on micro (consequences for citizens), meso (consequences for political elites), and macro level effects (consequences for democracy). The project will address four research questions: (RQ1) How do organizations shape elections campaigns by targeting potential voters online during elections? (RQ2) What are the constitutional and legislative frameworks shaping the extent and nature of data-driven campaigning in European countries? (RQ3) How are data-driven targeting practices perceived? (RQ4) To what extent do data-driven targeting practices actually affect voters? The project is novel as it (1) extends and empirically tests a theoretical framework of data-driven campaigning, while (2) using a mixture of research methods and a (3) comparative perspective. DATADRIVEN will offer a deeper understanding of online data-driven targeting techniques during elections in four European countries (i.e., Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and United Kingdom).

In the era of globalisation, family policies and social care services are at the intersection of increasingly diverse family situations and complex welfare state environments. This project will compare family policies and family-based social work in four different welfare systems and fundamental service areas: child welfare, drug/alcohol abuse,migrating families and disabilities. Its purpose is to analyse how social workers across different contexts understand notions of family and how they describe their own practices and outcomes with families.

This project concerns planning and management for more resilient urban deltas, and in particular, adaptation of the dynamics of urban deltas to address increasing flood risk. The project evaluates innovative territorial governance as an approach to create spatial strategies that may unlock the adaptation options, especially by integrating urban planning and water management, and engaging with stakeholders. The overall aim of the research is to develop an integrative and multiscale design and planning approach for adaptive urban transformation in fast urbanizing deltas. It uses the Pearl River Delta as a case study. The project will combine work in the China, the Netherlands and the UK: (1) to develop a portfolio of integrated adaptation measures based on an assessment of ecological capacity and life cycles of buildings, urban districts and regions; (2) identify potential in territorial governance structures for more integrated approaches and adaptation measures; and (3), develop and test innovative 3D visualisation techniques that facilitate participatory, multi-stakeholder planning approaches. For the first time, established and regular urban transformation processes will be used as opportunities to adapt systems in urbanized deltas at relatively low costs. Furthermore, the research will identify institutional, cultural and financial innovations that are needed in territorial governance to steer the development of urban and rural areas towards more resilient futures. This research provides a unique approach that integrates research in urban landscape systems, territorial governance and visualisation techniques that will help to achieve more integrated and resilient deltas.