Three professors appointed based on their focus profile: impact:
- Innovation scientist Linda van de Burgwal (Faculty of Science) has been appointed to the Chair of Societal Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Health and Life Sciences. She connects scientific knowledge with entrepreneurship and innovation, enabling research to reach society through public-private partnerships and new applications in the health and life sciences.
Read more in the news article. - Political communication scientist Mariken van der Velden (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities) has been appointed to the Chair of Politics & Media. Her research on political communication contributes to addressing contemporary issues such as polarization and democratic resilience, in close collaboration with governments and societal partners.
Read more in the news article. - Educational scientist Ilja Cornelisz (Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences) has been appointed to the Chair of Empirical Decision Science for Education, Health and Policy. He bridges scientific research, policymaking, and practice, and plays a leading role within VU in advancing societal impact and knowledge valorization.
Read more in the news article.
Two professors appointed based on their focus profile: education
- Tommy Pattij (Faculty of Medicine) has been appointed to the Chair of Academic Development in Medical Education. He is committed to future-proof medical education through curriculum innovation and a strong focus on academic development, artificial intelligence, and digital skills.
Read more in the news article. - Associate Professor of Finance Norman Seeger (School of Business and Economics) has been appointed to the Chair of Quantitative Finance. He is known for his innovative approach to teaching and was instrumental in developing the Climate and Sustainable Finance track, which connects financial expertise with societal challenges.
Read more in the news article.
In line with Recognition and Rewards
The University Chair programme has been further developed in line with the VU vision on Recognition and Rewards. Whereas the former University Research Chair focused primarily on research, the renewed programme explicitly recognises excellence across all academic domains. For the 2026–2028 period, the positions are specifically intended for associate professors and recently appointed full professors who excel in education or societal impact. In doing so, VU Amsterdam underscores the importance of these domains within the academic community.
The University Chair is a selective professorship that supports academics who distinguish themselves in these areas. In addition to the appointment, University Chairs receive, among other forms of support, a professional development budget to further expand their work.
Through these appointments, VU Amsterdam is investing in a new generation of academic leaders who contribute to a better future through their education, research, and societal engagement.