Marieke de Goede is the new dean of the Faculty of Humanities. An introductory interview in her new office. “I consider this position a great honour, but also a responsibility.”
We meet Marieke de Goede on a beautiful Tuesday afternoon in her new office as dean of the Faculty of Humanities (FoH). Or rather, her second new office as dean, because after three days in the Bushuis she had to move again. She is now on the first floor of BG-3, the iconic oval building on the Binnengasthuisterrein that the UvA is so keen to get rid of, but which architecture experts and local residents say should never be demolished.
Whether the building will fall prey to the wrecking ball remains to be seen. Until then, it will serve as the home of the FoH office, including the brand-new dean Marieke de Goede (Nijmegen, 1971). She is a political scientist by training, but one with an open mind for the humanities: she previously worked in the European Studies department of the FGw. She then returned to political science and, until recently, was scientific director of the Amsterdam Institute of Social Science Research (AISSR). Last week, it was also announced that she has been elected as a new member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW).
Marieke, congratulations on this honourable KNAW membership. What does it mean to you?
“It is, of course, a great honour and I am delighted that my academic achievements have been recognised in this way by my colleagues. I know that it takes a lot of work to write a nomination, so many thanks to those who did so. The jury also mentioned my intellectual openness, the inspiration I provide to colleagues and students, and the way I translate my research into the public debate. I am proud of that and, as dean, I will also strive for openness and attention to social issues.”
You mentioned earlier that you have an unusual hobby. You enjoy cold-water swimming. Tell us more.
“I do indeed enjoy it. I do it two or three times a week, together with my husband. It’s actually a secret tip, but I swim, even in winter, in a small lake in the dunes. It’s really cold. In winter, the water is sometimes no warmer than four degrees, but I do wear a wetsuit. But cold water swimming is wonderful and it really helps relieve the stress of work. I wish everyone could clear their head like that. It's often the people who say they don't have time for it who need it most.”
Can we conclude that you are not afraid of the challenges of your new position in a figurative sense either?
“I’m not afraid of cold water, but of course I find it exciting. I don’t take my new job lightly and consider it a great honour, but also a responsibility. I’m curious, I enjoy many things and find the academic world fascinating and important. I would like to contribute to that. As a scientist, I’m taking a step back for a while to facilitate other scientists.”
In an earlier interview, you emphasised that you are a first-generation student. Why do you want to emphasise that?
“I come from a family where neither of my parents went to university. When you end up at university, it’s really not easy at first; it’s difficult to find your way. I always had a book to hand to give myself some perspective. Of course, everything turned out fine for me, but I’m glad to see that more attention is now being paid to how everyone can feel at home at university.”
You have been dean of the faculty since 1 March. How do you look back on your first few months in the role?
“I feel very welcome at the faculty. First there was the festive start to my term as dean in the Rode Hoed theatre. It was a very festive occasion with a short ballet performance, beautiful spoken word and music. Since then, I have mainly been busy getting to know everyone. I ask a department if I can join their meeting or lunch for half an hour, listen to what they have to say, find out what they expect from me and ask about the issues that are or should be on the faculty agenda. In this way, I try to get to know as many people as possible and hear first-hand what is going on.”
What was your impression of the faculty on 1 March? What are the major issues that will require your attention in the coming years?
“I’ve had a positive impression in the first few months, although there are also some major challenges ahead. Of course, I had worked here before, and in my position in social sciences, I regularly collaborated with FGw colleagues in European studies and media studies, for example through the UvA research priorities. All in all, I think I can start with a fresh, interdisciplinary perspective.
“This faculty has had a number of difficult years of budget cuts, compounded by the coronavirus pandemic. I now hope that better years are ahead for students and staff, with more breathing space and appreciation. I also think we can tell and communicate the story of the humanities even better. We are very good at research on themes such as ethics and digitisation. We can emphasise the importance of the humanities perspective on these issues even better.”
There have been a few unpleasant issues at the concerning inappropriate behaviour. According to students, these were not resolved properly. How will you ensure that these issues do not arise again?
“Social safety is one of the challenges and remains a very important concern that is high on my agenda. The UvA now has a code of conduct on social safety, but what matters most is that social safety is more than just a measure on paper. It has to be brought to life, in the workplace and in the lecture hall. We need to create a culture of discussion, not only for people who experience something, but also for people who observe something. I don’t know if you can completely prevent inappropriate behaviour, but I really want to get the message across that victims and bystanders must report misconduct. If that means that more cases come to light, then so be it.”
There is currently a review strike by undervalued lecturers at two sister faculties. What is the situation in the humanities?
“We have been working on these issues for some time within the faculty, which resulted in the report Perspectief & zekerheid (Perspective & certainty). With this report, we want to offer more certainty and develop more appreciation and perspective for lecturers. The workload for lecturers is high, and this is also evident in other parts of the organisation. We need to move towards longer contracts, good supervision and good career prospects for lecturers. I also think a good work-life balance is important. I am a professor and administrator and am paid accordingly, but I still want to be able to combine this position with family life. My job cannot be done in a 38-hour working week, but I don’t want to work 80 hours a week, and I don’t want my employees to work such long weeks either.”
Your students are known to be very difficult. Recently, TOF students withdrew from the student council because they felt that the whole participation circus was pointless. Can you understand that?
“I don't think ‘difficult’ is the right word. ‘Critical’ is better, and I am happy and proud to have critical students around me. Critical also means ‘committed’. You can sit at home on the sofa watching Netflix, but you can also put pen to paper and write a critical article. Student participation within the university is partly regulated in a very formalistic way, which sometimes stands in the way of open discussion. Together with the faculty student council and the faculty association Alpha, I would therefore like to organise a ‘Meet the Dean’ event in June to discuss where we want to go with our faculty and how students can participate in this.”
Shortly before his departure, your predecessor said that FoH deans always serve only one term. Will you also serve only one term?
“I have a five-year appointment, which is quite long. I don’t know what I’ll do after that. That will depend on my ambitions at the time. I don’t think I’ll be an administrator for the rest of my career, because I have a strong connection with education and research. I’m doing this now, and in a few years we’ll see what that means for the future.”