The quality of the research carried out at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is assessed on a regular basis, in accordance with the Strategy Evaluation Protocol (SEP). The SEP was formulated by Universities of the Netherlands (UNL), the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO).
Every research institute or unit at VU Amsterdam conducts a self-assessment once every six years which is evaluated by an external committee of peers. Moreover, this committee conducts a site visit, has interviews with staff and for example evaluates infrastructure, and writes a final research assessment report. The assessment consists of an evaluation of the scientific quality, societal relevance and viability of the research. The committee assesses the research unit in light of its own aims and strategy. PhD policy, training and supervision is also examined. The findings and recommendations of the assessment committee are used in the regular quality assurance cycle and is important input for the university when setting out its research strategy. Specific aspects as Open Science, academic culture, diversity and talent management are addressed in the evaluation.
The final assessment reports are publicly available (below). More recently a summary of the self-evaluation report of the research unit itself, including one or two case studies is also available.
The University Monitoring Committee (UTC, see below) advises the Executive Board on research assessments and developments in research in a broader sense. More about the UTC and its members can be found below.
Research Data Management
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam attaches great importance to the careful handling of research data. To this end, VU has Research Data Management protocols in place to ensure the accuracy and principles of FAIR data.
Scientific Integrity
An open, safe and inclusive research culture is a necessary condition for good and reliable scientific research. VU adheres to the Netherlands Code of Conduct for Research Integrity and has an environment where academic integrity has a very high priority. VU aims to ensure that all academic staff are up to date on knowledge of the code of conduct as well as recent developments regarding policy on academic integrity.