VU University Amsterdam is a leading research university that ranks among the best in Europe. In order to maintain this position and improve its research efforts still further, it is vital to measure the quality of the research carried out to gain an insight into which areas might be improved.
The quality of the research carried out at VU University Amsterdam is assessed on a regular basis, in accordance with the Standard Evaluation Protocol (SEP). The SEP was set up by the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU), the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO).
Every research institute and unit at VU University Amsterdam conducts a self-assessment once every six years which is evaluated by an external committee. The self-assessments are evaluated by the University Monitoring Committee (UTC). The assessment consists of an evaluation of both the scientific and societal relevance of the research, and the standard of supervision and teaching of PhD students is also examined. The comments received following the external evaluations form an important thread for the university when setting out its research strategy.
VU University Amsterdam has developed a Protocol Research Evaluation, guidelines for research assessment at VU University.
Most research projects at VU University Amsterdam are adjudged to be good to excellent. The university takes measures if ever there is a negative opinion.
The evaluations are described in the following reports, which are available to the public: