The interdisciplinary conference “Social Norms, Cohesion, and (De)Polarization” took place on May 22–23, 2025, at Congresgebouw De Vereeniging in Utrecht. It was organized by the principal investigators of the INCLUSIVITY project: Prof. Eva Jaspers (Utrecht University), Prof. Marcin Bukowski (Jagiellonian University), Prof. Oliver Christ (Hagen University), Prof. Miranda Lubbers (Autonomous University of Barcelona), and Prof. Maarten van Zalk (Osnabrück University).

With more than 100 participants and 65 presentations, the conference provided a vibrant platform for cross-disciplinary exchange. Contributions ranged from qualitative interviews and surveys to experiments, network analyses, and simulations.

Keynote speakers:

• Cristina Bicchieri (University of Pennsylvania)

• David Garcia (University of Konstanz)

Both keynote lectures provided valuable theoretical and empirical insights and inspired in-depth discussions on the role of norms in shaping social cohesion and polarization.

Highlights and atmosphere:

• The sessions fostered constructive and lively debates, particularly around inclusive norms and depolarization strategies in different social contexts.

• The conference atmosphere was further enriched by informal networking opportunities during lunches and coffee breaks.

• For selected contributors, participation was free of charge, including catering, thanks to funding from the Volkswagen Foundation–supported project INCLUSIVITY.

Program structure:
Across the two days, the program combined keynote lectures, parallel panel sessions, and thematic discussions. Topics included the dynamics of norms in youth, education, media, and digital environments. The venue offered a central and welcoming setting that facilitated exchange and collaboration.

Conclusion:
The conference successfully brought together scholars from across the social sciences to discuss how social norms shape cohesion and polarization. The high number of participants, the diversity of methodological approaches, and the constructive atmosphere made the event both stimulating and productive.