Conference for 140 participants

These and many other aspects of the transition process that science faces, especially in the Netherlands, were central to discussions at the Rotterdam Maassilo on 15 November. The conference, organised by the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU) and the European University Association (EUA), convened some 140 scientists and other stakeholders. A small delegation attended from Maastricht, including Veerle Melotte, associate professor in Pathology. She recently won the Klokhuis Science Prize for her research into intestinal cancer and the NDRG4 gene in the ‘enteric brain’ in our intestines, which she made understandable for children aged 9 to 12.

Anyway... how do you measure all those new skills?

“I am here today because it fascinates me as a ‘young scientist’, and I represent the UM institute GROW. The principles of the position paper are very encouraging, and I support a change of direction. However, I do wonder how you can assess all those new facets of academic work. For example, how do you measure good leadership? I do not support the current system, but it is straightforward when it comes to assessing research quality.” (text continues below picture)

Change is absolutely necessary

Kim Kuypers is an associate professor in Psychopharmacology and, as a member of the University Council, is well-informed on the subject. “A lot is going to change, and today I should like to receive first-hand information on this”, she explains of her attendance. “On paper, it seems like a big change, and that’s necessary because there is a lot of frustration in the workplace about making a career in science. The model that rector Van de Walle presented this morning was very inspiring.”

The Ghent Model as a source of inspiration

Rik Van de Walle from Ghent University shared ‘The Ghent Model’ with the room, which was introduced last year. This trust-based model depends on two components: academic freedom and responsibility. Every academic is assessed every five years on all their activities. No metric criteria need to be met to qualify for a career step, but there is a portfolio of activities and your role in a team context also counts. “If you perform well, you will be promoted, even if someone else performs even better.”

Some questions remained

“Can you afford that?” the audience asked. “Yes, we have set a budget for the next five years based on the consequence that everyone is promoted, thus the worst financial scenario. It’s a choice!”, was the reply. “How do you rate someone’s educational performance?” Van de Walle: “You have to talk to the study programmes’ students and their education committees. What is the impact of a particular teacher on innovation, for example?” “Will the effect of these measures indeed reduce the stress level among academics, as you are aiming for?” Van de Walle: “I expect this to be the case, but we can’t measure the effect yet.”

Tips were also given

Rik Van de Walle also gave some suggestions for successfully implementing such a model. “Communication is essential for change management. Such changes require academic leadership and ambassadors at all levels.” This is the greatest added value of the conference, according to UM rector Rianne Letschert who is the position paper’s driving force together with her colleague Frank Baaijens from the TUE. “On days like these, you are mainly preaching to the converted; not the major criticasters. But that’s not a problem, because those ‘believers’ are inspired to bring it up with their colleagues and managers in the workplace. Knowing the sector, I believe that mobilising the masses achieves the most.” (text continues below picture)

And what about our position abroad?

Letschert hopes that as many UM employees as possible will read the position paper and actively work with it. “Talk to your colleagues about it. And if your department chair eventually doesn’t see anything in it, go to your dean or come to me.” She is confident the recognition and appreciation of scientists will change drastically in the coming years. “People sometimes ask: What does this mean for our competitive position abroad? But I do not foresee any negative effects, because we do not prohibit you from excelling in research; that you publish in Science of Nature. We only want those who excel in education, or patient care, for example, to have the peace of mind that it is appreciated and that promotion opportunities are available.”

The minister will also do her best to achieve this

Minister of Education, Culture and Science Ingrid van Engelshoven formally received the position paper at the end of the official programme. She drew a parallel with the first steps on the moon, which, thanks to the collaboration of hundreds of scientists, 600 million people witnessed fifty years ago. “This new direction inspires new generations to pursue scientific careers, and they must continue to do so. The transition to another system must take place; a system in which open science is the standard, diversity is the norm, and the emphasis is on collaboration. As President Kennedy said in 1962: ‘We choose to go to the moon, not because it is easy, but because it is hard[JC1] ’, I feel the same atmosphere here today, and I shall do everything I can to make this position paper a reality.”