Reflection meetings
Reflection afternoons on Recognition and Rewards: learning together and looking ahead
How do we give concrete meaning to Recognition and Rewards at the University of Groningen? And what does the Room for everyone’s talent programme mean in the daily practice of teaching, research, impact, and leadership? To reflect on these questions together, the Recognition and Rewards (R&R) Committee organised four reflection afternoons in 2025.
Administrators, policy officers, HR advisors, young academics, and members of promotion committees shared experiences, discussed successes, and explored dilemmas.
A shared ambition, different approaches
The discussions showed that the ambition behind Room for everyone’s talent is widely supported across the university. All faculties are working towards a more balanced recognition of teaching, research, impact, and leadership. At the same time, the way this ambition is translated into practice differs between faculties. This diversity proved to be a source of valuable insights and inspiration during the reflection afternoons.
Examples include renewed career paths, narrative-based assessment, the MERIT model as a framework for results and development (R&O) interviews, and initiatives that place greater emphasis on team development and collaboration. There is also increasing recognition of the roles of assistant professor and associate professor as fully-fledged positions in their own right, with room for both vertical and horizontal development.
Learning from practice
Alongside success stories, participants discussed questions and dilemmas. How can qualitative assessment truly take centre stage? How do we keep staff members motivated when promotion is not immediately in sight? And how do we ensure that policy is not only formulated on paper, but also experienced in everyday academic practice? The open exchange of experiences was widely perceived as inspiring and valuable.
Building the next steps together
The reflection afternoons show that the University of Groningen is making progress in the cultural change around Recognition and Rewards, while also highlighting the need for ongoing attention, dialogue, and collaboration. The outcomes of the reflection afternoons provide valuable input for next steps, including sharing best practices and further strengthening policy and leadership.