Confidential Advisors and Ombudspersons

Utrecht University believes a safe social climate is important. Nevertheless, students or employees might be approached in a way that is inappropriate to them. For example in the case of intimidation or sexual harassment, discrimination, aggression, violence or bullying. If you think that a certain situation is in violation of our codes of conduct, norms and values or the law, do not keep it to yourself, but speak up, also as a witness. We understand that it takes courage to speak up. We stand for a culture in which students and staff dare to speak up without fear of being harmed or treated unfairly. You can read more information on the page about inappropriate behaviour.

Confidential advisor for inappropriate behaviour

(Former) students and (former) staff members can turn to a confidential advisor for advice and support. The conversations are always treated confidentially. The advisor is there for you as the person reporting inappropriate behaviour and will think along with you about the possibilities and will guide you in possibly submitting a formal complaint. The confidential advisor can also advise you on further after-care or support from experts. Any follow-up to a report will only be undertaken with your permission. 

• Confidential Advisor for Inappropriate Behaviour: Marian Joseph and Diederik Gussekloo.
• Contact: vertrouwenspersonen-ongewenstgedrag@uu.nl.

Interpersonal Integrity Committee

You can also report to the independent Interpersonal Integrity Committee. The committee consists of seven members from inside and outside UU and two student members. If you wish to have your report about inappropriate behaviour investigated by the Interpersonal Integrity Committee, we no longer refer to it as a report but as a complaint. The committee investigates and assesses this complaint independently. Both parties are heard (separately) in this investigation and afterwards the committee advises the Executive Board. 

The committee also gives solicited and unsolicited advice on policy to prevent inappropriate behaviour and annually reports to the Executive Board on the number and nature of the complaints. 

• Chair of the Interpersonal Integrity Committee: Jellienke Stamhuis
• Contact: CommissieInterpersoonlijkeIntegriteit@uu.nl

Research integrity is, for example, about suspected manipulation of data, sources or incorrect presentation of results, but also about careless handling of data or not acting independently from political or commercial influences. If you have questions or complaints about scientific integrity, you can contact the persons below. More information can be found on the page about research integrity.

Faculty-specific Contact Persons

In case of dilemmas and questions about one's own scientific work, a student or staff member can turn to one of the faculty contact persons for research integrity. These contact persons have been appointed for prevention purposes.

Confidential Advisors Research Integrity

If you want to talk to someone in confidence about a suspicion of a breach of research integrity, you can contact the Research Integrity Confidential Advisor. They are also available to students and researchers at UMCU.

• Confidential Advisors Research Integrity: Professor Dr Iris Engelhard and Professor Dr Bert Theunissen.
• Email: vertrouwenspersoon-wi@uu.nl

Research Integrity Committee

If you choose to submit an official complaint, it will be investigated by the university's Research Integrity Committee.

Staff ombudsperson

Employees who have questions or signals about circumstances or events at work can go to the ombudsperson. These questions can be about a situation at work, for example a disagreement with your manager about a personal situation, he work atmosphere or the way in which complaints or questions are dealt with. The ombudsperson stands between the parties, advises and mediates if necessary. However, mediation will only take place if the reporter agrees.

• Ombudspersons: Annemieke Meijer and Frans Pieter Sprik
• Contact: vertrouwenspersonen-personeel@uu.nl  Annemieke Meijer 06-34536654, Frans Pieter Sprik 06-18593320

Students

Information for students on complaints, objections and appeals can be found on the student website.

The aforementioned confidentiality counsellors have also been appointed by the Executive Board to act as confidential advisors for whistleblowers. Employees suspecting a scourge can contact them for information, advice and support.