General questions
Why has the intended decision been made to reorganise the Department of Earth Sciences?
VU Amsterdam and the Faculty of Science are facing financial challenges due to budget cuts and a decline in student numbers. Despite previous reorganisations, the Department of Earth Sciences has been experiencing long-term structural financial deficits. In recent years, these have been partly covered by other departments. However, these deficits now need to be structurally addressed. Moreover, support from other departments at this level is no longer feasible, given the overall savings the faculty is required to achieve.
How has the process leading to the intended decision to reorganise developed over time?
The Department of Earth Sciences has been facing structural deficits for many years. Since 2022, discussions have taken place with the department’s management team, urging them to come up with proposals to address these issues. Due to increasing costs and declining revenues – caused in part by rising personnel expenses, inflation, housing costs, a drop in (international) student numbers, and government budget cuts – VU Amsterdam needs to restore its financial health by achieving savings of €60 million. The Faculty of Science (Bèta) has been tasked with contributing €26.5 million of this total.
As a result, the faculty assigned financial targets to all its departments, instructing them to develop savings measures accordingly. By late spring 2024, all departments had incorporated their assigned targets into plans for the 2025–2029 period – except for the Department of Earth Sciences. When it became clear that the department was unable to translate its target into concrete measures, the faculty board decided to initiate a follow-up process in the summer of 2024.
The aim of this follow-up process was to explore how strategic choices could ensure a future-proof Earth Sciences research and teaching programme at VU within the available financial framework. To this end, an exploratory committee was established, comprising experts from within and outside the department. The strategic scenarios developed in the exploratory report were thoroughly discussed with the department’s management team and the faculty board between October and December 2024.
Following an overall assessment of all scenarios, the faculty board elaborated one of them into a concrete plan between January and March 2025. This plan is aimed at safeguarding a strategic and financially sustainable future for Earth Sciences research and education at VU Amsterdam.
What is the cause of the deficits in the Department of Earth Sciences?
The structural deficits in the Department of Earth Sciences have arisen in part because, compared to other departments, it generates relatively low revenues from teaching and research, while at the same time incurring relatively high personnel costs.
What does the strategic choice for ‘Climate and Earth’ entail?
The new scenario ‘Climate and Earth’ focuses on sustainability and aligns with the theme of VU: "Science for Sustainability". This means a focus on Earth Sciences education and research related to contemporary climate change, with an emphasis on urgent issues such as natural disasters and climate systems. Research in the fields of geology and geochemistry will be discontinued.
Was serious consideration given to the alternative plan proposed by the Department of Earth Sciences?
In the lead-up to the intended decision, various scenarios were explored and assessed. The department’s alternative plan was also examined. It was concluded, however, that the plan did not align with several crucial principles that must be taken into account. Unfortunately, this meant it was not a realistic option. This conclusion was discussed with representatives of the staff (ODC) and explained to them in writing. In the end, the scenario was chosen that offers a structural and sustainable solution in the long term.
Have the Department of Earth Sciences and the ODC been involved in this plan?
Throughout the faculty’s adjustment process, both the management team of the Department of Earth Sciences and the Departmental Committee (ODC) have been involved. In autumn 2024, the faculty board and the department’s management team held nine meetings to extensively discuss various scenarios, with the aim of reaching a comprehensive assessment.
At the request of the faculty board, the ODC provided written responses to the report of the exploratory committee and the reorganisation plan. In its response to the reorganisation plan, the ODC included an unsolicited negative advice. In addition, the ODC was informed throughout the entire process about the procedure leading to the plan, engaged in confidential content-related discussions, and took part in information-sharing exchanges.
The ODC was kept informed on a regular basis through the following channels:
- The bi-monthly Joint Faculty Meeting (FGOV) of the ODC and Faculty Student Council (FSR), where the faculty’s savings targets were a standing agenda item.
- Information intended for the Department of Earth Sciences, such as Q&As, was also shared with the ODC, the FSR, and the (student) observers of the faculty board.
- The financial subcommittee of the ODC was informed in detail about the finances of the Faculty of Science and the Department of Earth Sciences in several dedicated meetings.
Why were external parties not involved in the considerations and decisions?
We understand the concerns and of course we value the collaborations that have been built up over the past years. Ahead of the intended decision, we spoke with a number of external partners and explained the dilemma we were facing. However, our focus throughout the process has primarily been on conducting a careful internal procedure. Our guiding principle was to retain key areas within the field of Earth Sciences, while also creating a clearer focus within VU’s Faculty of Science. This focus is necessary, on the one hand, to meet the financial objectives that prompted this intended decision, and on the other hand, to maintain and strengthen our impact in the field. To realise this focus, we assessed the areas in which VU’s Faculty of Science has demonstrable impact, and identified which research areas within Earth Sciences align with existing research at the faculty. We also considered the financial robustness of the various research lines.
As stated, this has been an internal process. It is also important to note that research activities are often closely tied to individual researchers. Because the process of arriving at an intended decision involves confidential personnel matters, it was not possible to share detailed information externally during the decision-making phase. At the same time, we recognise that this intended decision also affects external partners. That is why, following the communication to staff and students, we have informed our external collaborators as well. Furthermore, we are exploring how research that will be phased out at VU might be transferred to other knowledge institutions.
In addition to the areas in which VU intends to continue investing, there are other fields of great societal importance. Why are these not included in the considerations?
As mentioned, we are fully aware that the intended decision has an impact on external partners and on research both in the Netherlands and beyond. We also recognise that the chosen focus area, Climate and Earth in the Anthropocene, is not the only field that plays a vital role in the pursuit of a sustainable world. The reason we have nonetheless opted for this focus is that VU’s Faculty of Science already has demonstrable impact in this area—and we aim to strengthen it further. In shaping this focus, we assessed where the faculty has existing impact, and which parts of Earth Sciences research align with ongoing research at the faculty. In our view, this focus allows us to build critical mass and deepen our expertise, rather than spreading it too thinly across many areas. For other research fields that are also of societal importance, we are exploring how research activities that will be phased out at VU might be transferred to other knowledge institutions.
What is the current status of the agreements between VU Amsterdam and Utrecht University (UU) regarding the transfer of Earth Sciences teaching and research to Utrecht University?
Following exploratory discussions, a declaration of intent was signed on 31 March by the Dean of the Faculty of Geosciences at Utrecht University and the Dean of the Faculty of Science at VU Amsterdam. This declaration sets out the intention to jointly develop further agreements on teaching and research in the field of Earth Sciences, in the interest of the national academic community. These agreements will be further developed and formalised in cooperation agreements, in close consultation with all relevant parties.
Research
Which research lines will continue, and where will they be housed?
Four research lines will continue and will be integrated into other departments within the faculty, specifically the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) and the Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE). These are research lines focused on climate-related issues in the era of human influence.
Which research lines will be phased out?
Research lines within the Geology and Geochemistry cluster, as well as climate research focused on periods before the era of human influence, will be phased out. This is because they do not align with the chosen focus and are not financially sustainable.
Education
What will happen to the degree programmes in which the Department of Earth Sciences is involved?
- The BSc in Earth Sciences will be phased out, in a process expected to start 1 September 2027.
- The BSc in Earth, Economics and Sustainability will be expanded with a new specialisation in Climate and Earth, likely starting in the academic year 2027–2028.
- The MSc in Earth Sciences will retain the specialisations Earth and Climate and Global Environmental Change and Policy. The specialisation Geology and Geochemistry will be phased out, a process expected to start 1 September 2026.
- The MSc in Hydrology will continue to exist and remains the only programme of its kind in the Netherlands.
How will the quality of education be ensured?
By focusing on climate science, the interdisciplinary and societal relevance of the programmes will be maintained. Educational programmes will be integrated into existing organisational structures and aligned with the faculty’s strengths. In addition, five lecturers from the Department of Earth Sciences will remain at VU for the time being. VU considers its duty of care towards students to be of utmost importance and will ensure that students can complete their programmes. We are developing a feasible curriculum, with tailored study paths for each student. To achieve this, we are in discussions with other departments within VU and with Utrecht University. The Examination Board will be involved to safeguard academic quality, and transitional arrangements will be laid down in the Teaching and Examination Regulations (OER) for all students.
How have prospective students been informed?
We have a duty of care to provide prospective students with accurate information so they can make informed decisions. Therefore, prospective students received an email with information about recent developments in the Department of Earth Sciences and the possible implications for the Earth Sciences bachelor’s programme. The message explained that a careful and gradual phase-out of the programme is being prepared in collaboration with other programmes within and outside VU.
We informed prospective students about alternative options and made clear that, due to the current circumstances, we cannot guarantee that the phasing-out of the programme will follow the usual path. They were invited to a special taster session held on 17 April, offering insight into our Earth Sciences bachelor’s programme as well as similar programmes at VU and elsewhere.
How are current students being informed about the impact of the intended decision on their programme?
On 8 May, information sessions will be held for each year group of the bachelor’s programme to explain the potential changes to their curriculum. On 9 May, students from the Geology & Geochemistry and Earth & Climate tracks of the Earth Sciences master’s programme will be informed in a similar manner.
Impact on staff
What does this preliminary decision for reorganisation mean for staff?
If the Executive Board adopts a final decision, 37 staff positions will be discontinued as of 1 August 2025. In that case, the social plan will apply to the affected employees. These employees will be designated as redeployment candidates and will receive active support and guidance from the VU’s mobility office to help them find another position within the university. If redeployment within VU is not possible, they will be supported in finding employment outside the organisation. Staff working within the four continuing research lines will be able to carry on their work within the IVM or A-LIFE departments. PhD candidates will be able to complete their doctoral research. For PhDs working in research lines that are being phased out, tailor-made solutions will be arranged. A number of lecturers will continue to be involved in teaching.
Future vision
How does this preliminary decision for reorganisation fit within the broader strategy of VU Amsterdam?
VU Amsterdam has chosen to focus its climate research on issues related to the era in which human activity affects the climate and the Earth. This focus aligns well with other research at VU and is an area in which the university has significant impact and expertise. It also reflects the broader ambition of VU Amsterdam to make a meaningful contribution to sustainability and pressing societal challenges.
What will happen to the infrastructure and laboratories used by Earth Sciences?
The laboratories currently used by the Department of Earth Sciences will, in due course, be repurposed for use by other departments that require laboratory facilities.
Practical questions
Where can students and staff go with their questions?
Students can contact their study advisers and programme coordinators with any questions or concerns. Staff can approach their supervisors, the management team of the Department of Earth Sciences, the faculty board, or colleagues from HR. General questions and information can be found on the central webpage on financial adjustments and budget measures. For students, updates are also shared via Canvas.
How will the VU community stay informed about further developments?
We are committed to clear and careful communication and will do our utmost to keep all those affected well informed. Updates will be shared via the VU website, newsletters, and information sessions.