Independent journalism about VU Amsterdam | Since 1953
20 January 2025
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Opinion

Student Life & Society 24 September 2024

Decision-making at universities must be more democratic and direct

Graham Hagen-Peter, VU-employee, proposes that university and faculty boards be democratically elected by university workers. This is specially important during budget crises so that workers – not professional administrators – have control over the response.
Student Life & Society 12 June 2024

Use our academic freedom

Can we ask the rectors to use our academic freedom to stand for those who have no freedom to even become academics? Annette Kemp, ethicist VU Amsterdam, wonders.
Student Life & Society 27 May 2024

Think more carefully about supporting Gaza

At the university we learn how to evaluate a situation based on arguments and underlying evidence. We also learn that an evaluation is never final, but only holds until proven otherwise, finds Jan Bouwens.
Student Life & Society 31 May 2023

‘Every programme needs a climate course’

Jorim Tielbeek, lecturer in neuroscience, believes that all higher education programmes should offer climate education. To promote his cause, he teamed up with Scientist Rebellion to stage an eye-catching event in the New University Building in early May.  Why should…
Student Life & Society 26 January 2023

‘Warning international students is not enough’

‘Don’t come if you don’t have accommodation by the first of August’, warned VU Amsterdam. Student Leo Yilmazer – who quit their studies and moved back to Türkiye because they couldn’t find a room – thinks the university should be…
Student Life & Society 31 August 2022

‘Be tough on your teachers, but don’t cancel them’

‘Wokeness’ has brought us wonderful things, but cancelling people is not the way forward, says VU professor Bert Jan Lietaert Peerbolte. He proposes an academic safe space.
Student Life & Society 19 February 2021

‘Give researchers a 3 month education break after the pandemic’

Twee organisatieantropologen zien hun onderzoek dieper en dieper wegzakken in een lange winterslaap. ‘Wij krijgen steeds complimenten over onze inzet voor het onderwijs, maar we hebben ook perspectief nodig om ons ingeslapen onderzoek weer wakker te schudden’, schreven Harry Wels…