Organization
The WRR consists of a council of eight members and an academic staff engaging in close collaboration in multidisciplinary project teams, with assistance from a communications and support team. Councilmembers of the WRR are appointed by the King for a five-year term, and they are eligible for re-appointment to a second term.
The current members of the WRR hold academic chairs at Dutch universities in the fields of economics, sociology, law, public administration and governance, health, and water management. With this variety in expertise, they jointly form a body of experts reflecting various aspects of society. From its inception in 1972, the WRR has worked with a ‘writing council’, with members actively participating in the production process and chairing project teams that write the reports. Chapters, drafts and, in the final stages, entire reports are discussed in staff and council meetings held every two weeks. The members of the WRR bear collective responsibility for its work. The collective discussions in both the staff and council of the WRR serve as an important guarantee of the multidisciplinary character of the work of the WRR.
The Council is supported by a multidisciplinary academic research staff. A core staff of around 15 is complemented by a flexible staff of about 10. Some staff members hold endowed chairs or other positions at universities. The Secretary of the Council also serves as the director of the various staff functions, thereby serving as a bridge across all parts of the organization.