On March 12, 2026, the University of Twente and University of Groningen will host the one-day networking conference “From Posts to Insights: Navigating Social Media Data Challenges in Research”, funded by the Open Science NL.
Social media data presents unique opportunities for understanding human behaviour, social interaction, and cultural trends in natural settings. However, researchers often face significant challenges in accessing, using, and sharing this data due to evolving platform policies, privacy concerns, and ethical concerns. These barriers hinder data collection, transparency, reproducibility, and collaboration.
This conference invites everyone involved in social media research to come together as a community. Through open discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions, this event seeks to:
- Raise awareness of the complexities surrounding social media data use in research
- Promote responsible and ethical research practices
- Encourage the development and adoption of best practices
- Foster interdisciplinary collaboration and dialogue
Via keynotes, presentations, and a panel discussion, we will explore legal, ethical, open science, and privacy challenges, with a focus on responsible and transparent research. The day will conclude with a networking reception and drinks, offering a great opportunity to connect with fellow researchers, ethics, privacy, and legal experts, and research support professionals.
Participation is free and lunch will be provided.
The conference will take place at the University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands. To attend, please register via the registration button below. Spots are limited, so early registration is encouraged. The program of the conference will soon be announced.
Programme
Schedule
10:30 - 11:00 Walk-in Coffee, Tea & Registration
11:00 - 11:05 Welcome and opening
11:00 - 11:20 Opening remarks by Jeroen Sondervan (Open
Science NL)
11:20 - 11.30 Introduction: Social Media Data Networking Event
11:30 - 12:30 Keynote speakers: Tim de Winkel (University of applied sciences Utrecht), TBA
12:30 - 13:30 Lunch Break
13:30 - 14:30 Panel discussion: Legal & Ethical Foundations:
Carola Veenstra - Jager (University of Groningen),
Paddy Leerssen (University of Amsterdam),
Roel Lutkenhaus (University of Twente)
Moderator: Efe Sözeri (University of Twente)
14:30 - 15:00 Coffee break
15:00 - 16:00 Parallel Session
Session 1: Giovanni Spitale (Universität Zürich)
Session 2: Karel Kroeze (University of Twente)
Session 3: Danielle McCool(University Utrecht)
16:00 - 16:30 Keynote speaker: Jessica Taylor Piotrowski (University of Amsterdam)
16:30 Closure + Networking Drinks
Speakers
Keynote speakers
Jessica Taylor Piotrowski
Jessica Taylor Piotrowski, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR), University of Amsterdam, where she holds the Chair of Communication in the Digital Society. She also serves as Director of the Center for Research on Children, Adolescents, and the Media (CcaM), Director of the Graduate School of Communication, Co-Director of the Faculty Teaching & Learning Centre, and Faculty Lead for the national “Human Factor in New Technologies” sector programme. Her research focuses on how individual and socio-cultural differences shape young people’s selection, use and processing of digital media—and how those processes contribute to cognitive, emotional and social outcomes. A central theme of her work is digital competence: the combination of digital skills and knowledge that enables young people to thrive in a digital society. Beyond her scholarly work, Piotrowski is committed to translation of research into practice: she regularly engages with stakeholders such as the European Commission, Google, Meta and YouTube, serves on international boards and committees, and champions open science and accessible research. In her leadership and teaching roles she emphasizes reflexivity and community and drives curriculum innovation to meet the changing demands of students and society. Outside of work, she enjoys running (often for charity), dark chocolate and espresso, and is always looking for sunshine in Amsterdam.
Tim de Winkel
Tim de Winkel is dr. in media studies with an expertise in radical platform technology and digital humanities methodology. His dissertation was on far-right fringe platforms. He is currently employed by Erasmus university and the Utrecht University of applied sciences, where he works on several projects regarding 'datafied communication and surveillance by Dutch public institutions and local government' and supervises a project on 'activist and government encounters'. Tim is a Union rep and parlement member for the AOB and FNV, an academic activist for 0.7 and VSMP. He also discovered that the real author of the Dutch national anthem is Petrus Datheen.
Title: The Methodological, Epistemological, and Legal Challenges of Studying the Platformized Far Right
Venue
The networking event is hosted by the University of Twente. It will take place at the DesignLab, located in the "The Gallery" building on the campus of the University of Twente.
Access
You can access the DesignLab via 1). the front entrance on Pinetumweg, 2). the entrance on O&O Square, and 3). via the main entrance to the Gallery on Hengelosestraat.
Entrance via the Pintetum weg (O&O square)
Entrance via Hengelosestraat (main entrance The Gallery).
Address
DesignLab
Hengeloseweg 500
7521 AN Enschede, The Netherlands
By public transport
Plan your route to bus station Westerbegraafplaats/UT. Use 9292OV for arrival and departure times.
By car
We recommend you use Drienerlolaan 5, Enschede as your navigation address. From there, follow the P4. Most parking spots are available there. The recommended route is marked on the map. From the parking spot, walk towards the entrance of DesignLab.
If you need to reach the DesignLab by elevator: We recommend you use the main entrance of The Gallery from the side of Hengelosestraat.
About
Funded by the Open Science NL, the networking conference “From Posts to Insights: Navigating Social Media Data Challenges in Research” is organized by the University of Twente and University of Groningen. The conference organisation consists of:
University of Twente
Minsi Li
Deniece Nazareth
Zafer Öztürk
University of Groningen
Solveig Castelli
Marlon de Jong
Tamar de Vries
We thank Efe Sözeri (University of Twente) for his support on the website.
Contact
For questions, please contact: conf-socialmediaresearch@utwente.nl
Unfortunately, the poster track of the conference has been cancelled. Due to unforeseen changes in our team’s availability, it is no longer possible to organize and support the poster track as originally planned. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope to still welcome you to the rest of the conference program.
