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Social safety: a vital precondition for academic integrity

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29 August 2025
At VU Amsterdam, creating a safe and welcoming environment for study and work is our shared responsibility. Social safety is also a crucial precondition for academic integrity. But how can we ensure that everyone - from students to PhD candidates, to postdocs, to professors - feels seen, heard, and respected?

We asked Bert Jan Lietaert Peerbolte, Professor of Biblical Studies at the School of Religion and Theology (SRT), part of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSH) at VU Amsterdam, and one of the university’s confidential counsellors for academic integrity. In the interview, he reflects on his role as confidential counsellor, shares his vision on social safety, and discusses how we can all contribute to building a socially safe academic community.

“We aim to be a diverse academic community in which everyone feels at home and welcome to engage in scholarly dialogue. You are free to think what you think and to say what you wish, but do it in a way that does not needlessly hurt others.”

Curious about his experiences and insights? Read the interview

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