University Committee for Academic Practice (UCW)

The University Committee for Academic Practice (UCW) is an independent advisory committee of the University of Groningen. The UCW advises the Board of the University, faculty boards, research directors and other groups on all matters relating to academic practice and research quality assurance within the UG. In addition, the UCW provides support to researchers with major funding applications. In this way, the UCW aims to contribute to the continuous improvement of research quality and research practice.

"Every faculty is represented in the UCW by an experienced researcher. The UCW plays an active role in strengthening research within the UG by providing both solicited and unsolicited advice on research-related developments and associated policy. We also support researchers with major cross-faculty funding applications. As a visible and accessible platform, we advance science across the university."

What can I contact the UCW about?

As a member of staff at the UG, you can contact the UCW for the following:

• Advice on academic practice and quality assurance: the UCW takes a University-wide perspective on these issues and comprises researchers from all faculties. This enables the UCW to provide sound UG-wide advice on these topics to, among others, the Board of the University. Do you have a topic on which you believe it is important to receive university-wide advice? Please contact us at f.g.slim@rug.nl (secretary UCW).
• Support with cross-faculty funding applications or nominations: the UCW can provide support in several ways. Not only can the UCW act as a mock interview panel for major applications, but it can also provide committee members with expertise in the field of major applications. Want to know more? Please contact us at f.g.slim@rug.nl (secretary UCW).

Not sure if the UCW is the right place for you? Feel free to contact us at f.g.slim@rug.nl (secretary UCW). Together, we’ll see if and how we can help you.

Who are the members of the UCW?

The members are experienced researchers from all UG faculties take part in the UCW in a personal capacity. The Faculty of Science and Engineering and the UMCG are each represented by two members. The other faculties (except Campus Fryslân) are represented by one. The members are nominated by the faculty board. In addition, the board of the Young Academy Groningen nominates two members to represent ‘Early Career Researchers’. Finally, a member of the staff group of the University Council and the student assessor of the Board of the University participate as observers.

The UCW is administratively supported by a secretary from the Research & Impact cluster of University Services.

The list of members is as follows:

• Chair: Prof. A.H. Maitland-van der Zee (Anke-Hilse) – UMCG.
• Dr E.I. (Esther) Metting – UMCG.
• Prof. S.C. Trager (Scott) – Faculty of Science and Engineering.
• Prof. S. Verpoorte (Sabeth) – Faculty of Science and Engineering.
• Prof. D.C.M. Raemaekers (Daan) – Faculty of Arts.
• Dr A.T. Schmidt (Andreas) – Faculty of Philosophy.
• Dr J. Tarusarira (Joram) – Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society.
• Prof. D.R. Veenstra (René) – Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences.
• Prof. U. Schultze (Ulrike) – Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.
• Prof. L.C.A. Verstappen (Leon) – Faculty of Law.

• Prof. F.M.D. Vanclay (Frank) – Faculty of Spatial Sciences.
• Member of the Young Academy Groningen: Dr S.L. Bolderman (Leonieke) – Faculty of Spatial Sciences.
• Vacancy for a Young Academy Groningen member from the Faculty of Science and Engineering or the UMCG.
• Student assessor to the Board of the University: Lana Fahham.
• Secretary: F.G. Slim (Francesca) – Research & Impact.
• Co-secretary: Dr J.M. van Rooij (Jules) – Research & Impact