NWO XS Grant awarded to Marketing Researcher Joris Demmers at Amsterdam Business School
Joris Demmer has been awarded an Open Competition SSH XS grant of €50,000 by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) for his research project on the role of technological optimism in climate policy. Demmer is Associate Professor and the head of the Marketing Department at Amsterdam Business School, University of Amsterdam.
His project entitled 'From Hope to Action: How Techno-Optimism Shapes Sustainable Behaviours and Policy Support Across the World' focuses on a current and complex issue: the role of technological optimism in climate policy.
Rapid and meaningful climate action
Technological optimism—the belief in the ability of technology to address global challenges—plays an important but controversial role in climate policy. While optimism can inspire hope and promote sustainable behavior, excessive reliance on technological solutions may lead to passivity and delayed action. This project investigates whether optimism about technological progress drives or hinders sustainable behaviour and explores an “optimal level” of optimism that balances hope with urgency. Through two studies in the 18 largest economies, this research provides empirical insights for policymakers and organizations on when—and how—optimism might effectively drive meaningful and immediate climate solutions.
View all granted projects 2025 Round 1 on the website of the Dutch Research Council (NWO).
NWO Open Competition SSH
Launched in 2022, the NWO Open Competition SSH Call offers three types of grants to support research in the social sciences and humanities. The XS grant specifically encourages curiosity-driven, bold ideas through short-term projects (maximum 12 months). These high-risk, high-gain initiatives must be ground-breaking and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of science.