Advisory report on unacceptable behaviour published
Today, 13 May 2024, Leiden University’s Executive Board is publishing the advice of the committee that investigated reports of unacceptable behaviour and breaches of academic integrity. These reports were about a professor from the university and their partner (a former member of the university staff).
This publication is the version of the report that the committee anonymised and presented to the Executive Board. The report was drafted by an independent investigating committee appointed by the Executive Board comprising the following members: Dr Yvonne Erkens (chair), Prof. Tea Mellema-Kranenburg and Prof. Maghiel van Crevel. The university communicated about this report and the Executive Board’s ensuing decision on 25 April.
After careful consideration and bearing in mind that this is the express wish of the investigating committee, the Executive Board has decided to publish this report. The committee suggests that publishing the report will facilitate a wider discussion about matters of academic integrity and dignity and respect. Like the committee, the Board realises there are lessons to be learned, for the faculty but also in a wider sense for the university and the sector.
‘To protect people who could be traced, it is not standard practice to publish such reports; says President of the Executive Board Annetje Ottow. ‘I realise that publishing this is a break with tradition. All things considered, we believe full transparency is necessary here.
‘By being open about the investigation we commissioned, we can work on recovery and take the steps needed to prevent and/or identify unacceptable behaviour at the university at an earlier stage. We also make it clear that we take dignity and respect seriously and absolutely do not tolerate such behaviour. Naomi Ellemers’ KNAW report on dignity and respect in academia also emphasises the importance of transparent communication on how problem situations are to be handled.
‘The committee also rightly concludes that there are lessons to be learned: this is not only about an individual academic but also about the role of their environment: the faculty, the university and the sector. We also obviously want to protect the informants who stepped forward so courageously. That is another reason why we are publishing this report.’
Report in two languages: