This is Just Europe – a podcast series that takes a closer look at the challenges we face on the path to a fair and inclusive Europe that strives to leave no one behind as we decarbonise, modernise and digitalise our economies. This episode in the series is on ‘keeping strong social sciences and humanities in Europe’ – an in-depth discussion about why understanding people, cultures and societies is so vital for Europe, and how it contributes to competitiveness, social cohesion, just transitions and democratic stability. The EU is currently outlining its budget and all eyes are on how much money will be made available for research and innovation, and crucially, how much for of that will go into researching our societies. Our guests include Vera Jourova, the Vice-Rector of Charles University and former European Commissioner, Jurgen Rienks, director of the Netherlands house for Education and Research (Neth-ER), Jeroen Jutte, Director at DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, Emmanuelle Gardan, Director at Coimbra Group of Universities, Gabi Lombardo, Director of EASSH, and Georgia Curea, policy officer at The Guild.