More than numbers:

Scientists can measure an ever-wider range of phenomena, often with increasing precision: from single photons to the large-scale structure of the universe, and from a person’s gut microbiome to patterns of inequality across societies. But measurement–in science and beyond–does more than represent the world: it also plays a part in shaping it. What is easy to measure, such as performance indicators and test scores, often gains prominence, while what is harder to capture, such as subjective experience, can fade into the background. Not everything we measure is meaningful, and measuring responsibly is no straightforward task. 

This workshop aims to explore similarities and differences in measurement practices across the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, drawing also on practices outside academia, to address the question: what counts as ‘good’ measurement? This question matters not only to scientists but also to society, as we live in a world increasingly organised around data. To explore what makes measurement meaningful and responsible, we aim to bring together a diverse group of participants in this workshop: philosophers, (empirical) scientists from various fields, and people and organisations involved in measurement in a societal context. The thematic structure of the workshop allows us to examine the question from various angles, working towards a richer understanding of what good measurement entails. 

This two-day workshop brings together 50 academics and non-academics in the Trippenhuis in Amsterdam, home base of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Science (KNAW). During the workshop, there will be plenary lectures, parallel sessions, plenary discussions as well as time allocated for working in smaller groups. Participants are not expected to prepare a talk before the workshop. Please note that the workshop format requires participants to be present during both days of the workshop.

We welcome submissions from academics (the whole range of natural sciences, social sciences and humanities) and non-academics. We will select participants based on their expression of interest, in which they can state their motivation and expected contribution to the workshop in response to the following questions: 

• Why would you be interested in participating in the workshop and how would you contribute? (max. 200 words) 

• What is an example of (the lack of) meaningful and/or responsible measurement that you encounter in your work or discipline? (max. 200 words) 

Since the aim of the workshop is an interdisciplinary exploration across science and society, we will take into account the diversity of academic and non-academic applicants in the selection process.  

Deadline for submission expression of interest: 15 December 2026 

Notification of acceptance: 1 February 2027 

Click here for submission of interest. 

All inquiries concerning the workshop should be sent to j.c.francken@uva.nl. 

The registration fee is €40 per person. This includes coffee, tea and lunches on both days, as well as a reception on the first day. We would like this conference to be accessible. If the registration fee prevents you from attending, please contact us at j.c.francken@uva.nl. We cannot cover travel or accommodation expenses. 

Day 1: 9:00-18:00h Meaningful and responsible measurement across the sciences 

Day 2: 9:00-17:00h Meaningful and responsible measurement in a societal context 

Hasok Chang, University of Cambridge (keynote) 

Eran Tal, McGill University 

Sabina Leonelli, Technical University of Munich 

Rebecca Jackson, University of Durham 

Femke Truijens, Erasmus University Rotterdam 

Nicky Pouw, University of Amsterdam