Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, together with thirteen other Dutch universities, will work to raise awareness of and strengthen positive social norms within the academic community. The project has been awarded a grant by the Steering Group for Social Safety. It is part of a nationwide initiative to further strengthen social safety in higher education and research. VU Amsterdam is project administrator for the project and is working alongside five other universities in a leading group.
Learning from What Works
In recent years, universities have increasingly focused on recognising and preventing unacceptable and transgressive behaviour. This remains a key priority. At the same time, universities also want to highlight ways to recognise and promote positive behaviour by making visible what contributes to an academic environment in which people feel free, valued and respected. What kinds of interactions help create such an environment? What enables people to speak up, discuss differences of opinion openly and work together effectively? By highlighting what promotes social safety, rather than focusing solely on what causes an unsafe social environment, universities aim to actively contribute to the culture they want to foster.
A Collaborative Approach
Over the coming period, VU Amsterdam, as the lead institution, will work with the thirteen other Dutch universities to develop a nationwide communications programme on social safety. Students and staff will be involved to ensure that the approach meets the needs of different target groups and reflects the diverse contexts of universities.
The collaboration will run from November 2026 through December 2027. The insights gained, communications approach and materials developed will subsequently be shared more widely across higher education.