The majority of UvA staff have not noticed any impact from “Recognition & Appreciation”
Although the “Recognition & Appreciation” programme was introduced seven years ago, the majority of UvA staff say they have not noticed any change in policy, culture or day-to-day work.
In 2019, the “Recognition & Appreciation” programme was launched at Dutch universities, with the aim of assessing academics not only on their research, but also on aspects such as teaching, societal impact, leadership and collaboration. Yet, seven years on, it appears that a majority of UvA staff have not yet experienced any effect of this. This is evident from a report by consultancy firm Berenschot.
In Berenschot’s questionnaire, which was distributed to 4,134 UvA staff members and completed by 10.3 per cent of them, it is striking that the number of staff who have not experienced any effect from the E&W programme has risen compared with a survey conducted in 2024, when the same study was carried out. For instance, 67 per cent of the staff surveyed now say they have not noticed any change in the university’s culture, compared with 55 per cent two years ago. Furthermore, 58 per cent of respondents say nothing has changed in terms of policy, whereas in 2024, 45 per cent felt this was the case.
Furthermore, 82 per cent of respondents say that nothing has changed in their day-to-day work as a result of E&W. The percentage of staff who do say they have experienced “positive change” or “somewhat positive change” has also fallen by around ten percentage points across every aspect compared with the 2024 survey.
The fact that the UvA scores lower than the national average with these figures can, according to the university itself, “be explained by the fact that the UvA is, for the time being, primarily working ‘behind the scenes’ on policy and preparing for implementation, whilst ensuring that policy development runs as closely as possible alongside regular policy preparation.” This is stated on the staff website.
Although the effects of E&W are not yet being felt, most staff members say they do support the programme’s ambitions. In particular, a stronger focus on quality rather than quantity (93 per cent) and the diversification and revitalisation of career paths (90 per cent) enjoy widespread support.
