Defence sector, police and others

Source: https://www.uva.nl/en/research/research-environment/third-party-collaborations/defence-sector-police-and-others/defence-sector-police-and-others.html Parent: https://www.uva.nl/en/research/research-environment/third-party-collaborations/collaborating-with-third-parties.html

International tensions and working together on resilience and security

Universities work with partners such as the police, TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research) and the defence sector to strengthen the resilience and security of the Netherlands. The University of Amsterdam does so in its own way – in line with our role as an independent and socially engaged university.

The UvA's role in society

International tensions are increasing. Universities are increasingly being asked what they can contribute to the security and resilience of society. The deans and the Executive Board explain what this means for the UvA, and how students and staff can work together in a way that fits our values and identity.

" ‘As a university, we have a responsibility to build knowledge around complex societal challenges and themes. In doing so, we contribute to protecting our democracy and freedoms. "

UvA deans and Executive Board

Assessment guidelines and guiding principles for collaboration

• The world is changing rapidly and international tensions are increasing. As a result, universities are increasingly being asked what they contribute to the security and resilience of the Netherlands. For example, new ...
• UvA employees can assess new and ongoing partnerships using an assessment guideline. This guideline helps to identify ethical risks and determine appropriate follow-up actions.
• Our activities fall within the applicable legal frameworks and our ethical framework for collaboration with external parties. We critically assess the projects in which we may participate, taking into account ethical ...

Conditions for collaboration

• We safeguard our academic freedom.
• We strive for Open Science.
• We aim to prevent misuse of research data and results as much as possible.
• Collaboration must have a proportional impact on the organisation.
• The safety of students and staff must be ensured.

In doubt? Discuss your considerations with a lecturer, supervisor, research director or dean.

For education and research, the following applies:

• Collaboration must fit within our framework for cooperation with external partners.
• Collaboration must comply with legal requirements.

What kinds of collaborations are we referring to?

All our faculties work on issues related to democracy, human rights, cybersecurity, and health. Sometimes we collaborate with the military or the police, but sometimes we do not. See examples below.

• This programme has close ties with, among others, the Netherlands Defense Academy (NLDA) and the Netherlands Institute for Military History, as well as Lancaster University. These ties enable us to offer a broad ...
• The BLOCKADE project is a collaboration between researchers from the University of Amsterdam, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, the University of Hamburg, and the University of ...
• The AI4Forensics Lab is a collaborative initiative of the Netherlands Forensic Institute and the University of Amsterdam. It focuses on developing new AI techniques for multimodal data in a forensically sound way.
• In a joint project, TNO Defense, Security and Safety, the University of Amsterdam (UvA), and Wageningen University and Research (WUR) set out to develop novel methods for detecting chemical warfare agents in the field.
• The Molecular and Material Design Technology Hub (MMD TechHub) aims to accelerate the discovery of materials and molecules critical to solving major societal challenges, delivering technological solutions in both the ...
• Various institutes and centers are collaborating to understand how quantum matter ‘works’ and how quantum materials and devices can be controlled and manipulated so that quantum information can be stored without ...
• UvA-wide theme for research and education aimed at promoting a just, stable, and resilient society that guarantees the well-being of its citizens.

Frequently asked questions

• How do I know who I can collaborate with in my research or teaching?

UvA staff assess (new) collaborations using assessment guidelines. These guidelines help identify ethical risks and determine follow-up actions. Fill in the form relating to the guidelines to see when a conversation is needed. - Will the assessment guidelines for collaboration with external partners be updated?

The Advisory Committee on Collaboration with External Partners continuously monitors developments and assessments in light of current events. As we have done before, we will continue to evaluate whether adjustments may be needed in the future. - Who can I talk to about ethical dilemmas related to this topic?

There are several options. You can raise questions within your department, with a lecturer or supervisor, or with a dean. Some faculties organise additional discussions on this topic. - I do not want to collaborate with these partners – is that possible?

Yes. Academic freedom includes the possibility to question collaborations and to choose what you wish to contribute to. The same applies to students and staff who do wish to engage in such collaborations.