The assessment framework 'Risks related to human rights violations and armed conflicts', has now been in use for one year. Over the past year, practical experience has been gained in applying the framework, and 18 existing and 18 new research collaborations have been assessed to identify the risk of VU Amsterdam inadvertently contributing to armed conflicts and serious human rights violations.
The assessment framework provides guidance for the collaborations undertaken by VU Amsterdam, supports the consideration of the balance between academic responsibility and academic freedom, and offers insight into the risks and rationale for collaboration. Decision-making rests with the faculties and support departments. If deemed necessary, a central advisory committee may be consulted.
Existing collaborations
Since the framework came into effect in September 2025, 18 collaborations that had already commenced before its introduction, have been assessed for potential risks. These included 13 collaborations with universities, two with private institutions, two with NGOs and one with a government institution. The collaborations involved partners in Ethiopia (2), the Philippines (2), Georgia (2), Israel (8), Kenya (2) and Uganda (2). For the majority of the collaborations, the risks were assessed as limited and acceptable.
New collaborations
In addition, researchers consulted the designated contact within their faculty or service regarding 18 proposed collaborations that were considered potentially high-risk. The proposed research collaborations involved 13 universities, 2 government ministries, 2 NGOs, one hospital and one foundation. These cases concerned the following countries: China (4), Israel (8), Yemen (1), Kenya (1), the Palestinian Territories (1), Saudi Arabia (1), Somalia (1), and Syria (1). In seven cases, it was decided not to proceed with the collaboration. Six of these involved a research partnership with an Israeli partner, while one concerned a research partnership with a partner from Saudi Arabia. No requests for advice were submitted to the Central Advisory Committee during this period.
In 11 projects, it was concluded that collaboration could proceed within this framework. For a number of projects and proposed collaborations submitted for assessment, mitigating conditions were attached to the collaboration. These included, for example, arrangements concerning access to data and measures to protect sensitive information relating to participants in meetings or research activities. To safeguard the privacy of the researchers and partner organisations involved, and to respect the confidentiality of the assessment process, no further details are provided regarding individual research collaborations that, following this review, were either approved or not pursued.
Process
To support staff in applying the framework, decentralised contact persons have been appointed within each service department and faculty. They serve as the first point of contact for questions and assist staff in conducting a risk assessment where this is required for an existing or proposed collaboration. The Director of Operations or the Director of the relevant service department is responsible for applying the assessment framework and signing the contract where a positive decision has been reached. They verify that the collaboration complies with all mandatory dossier requirements, including checks against the frameworks relating to knowledge security and fossil-free research.
To strengthen knowledge and expertise and to promote the consistent application of the framework, meetings for decentralised contact persons were organised over the past year. These were aimed at knowledge sharing, discussing dilemmas, and peer learning.
Revisions
The framework will continue to be evaluated periodically to determine whether new developments and practical experience warrant any adjustments. Based on the experience gained from applying the assessment framework over the past year, it was found that the framework provides a sound basis in practice for assessing the risk of the VU making unintended contributions to armed conflicts and serious human rights violations.
Responsibility for applying the framework remains with the faculties and service departments. Providing effective support for its implementation will therefore remain an important focus in the coming period. To that end, various options are being explored to make the process clearer, more efficient, and easier for staff to navigate.
Assessment Framework: Risks Relating to Human Rights Violations and Armed Conflicts
Scientific research is impossible without international collaboration. At the same time, geopolitical tensions require a broader assessment than merely determining whether a collaboration is permissible under existing laws and regulations. VU Amsterdam has long been a university guided by its core values. This means that it not only upholds academic freedom but also recognises that such freedom carries responsibility. Where research collaborations can be demonstrably linked to serious human rights violations, collaboration is inconsistent with the principles on which VU Amsterdam is founded. To enable informed, transparent, and responsible decision-making in such cases, an assessment framework has been developed based on internationally recognised human rights standards and the advice of a committee of independent experts. Each year, VU Amsterdam publishes information on the number of collaborations assessed under this framework and the number of cases in which collaboration was not initiated or was discontinued.
Further information about the assessment framework can be found here.