People

‘We invest in the ongoing development of our staff, our students and the way we work’

A close academic community

Radboud University is a close academic community in which staff and students inspire and challenge one another. As an academic community, the university is characterised by appreciation and respect for each other and for each other’s differences. Inclusivity in a broad sense, social safety and the safety of the study and working environment are key principles. We attach great importance to diversity, among both students and staff.

We actively communicate these principles so that all staff and students are able to achieve, develop and feel at home: their well-being is a subject close to our heart. This means we will commit ourselves in the coming years to reducing the workload of our students and staff and to improve their well-being.

Because of our historical background, we pay special attention to students and staff who are forced to seek refuge in our region. We make dedicated funds available to provide them with opportunities and support.

Personal and academic leadership

Courage, connection and openness are core values for our staff, giving them the space and responsibility to develop their talents and achieve their ambitions. This starts with personal leadership. We invest in the ongoing development of our students, our academic staff, our support staff and the way we all work. Our students are given optimum opportunities to develop themselves into societally involved academics.

‘Each member of staff contributes to the team’s achievements based on their own skills and abilities’

Foto van mensen die aandachtig luisteren bij een lezing

Appreciating different staff contributions

To ensure that working at the university continues to be attractive and sustainable, there has to be the right balance in terms of the value we place on research, teaching, impact, support and leadership. What matters is the contribution that individual staff make to the university as a whole. We seek a balance between appreciation of individual achievements and of achievements made as a team, for instance by introducing team awards or by taking into account team performance in currently existing awards. Each member of staff contributes to the team’s achievements based on their own skills and abilities, thereby reducing the burden on each individual. The way we recognise and value teaching, research and impact is changing. For academic staff, we seek a better balance in future in terms of their overall contribution. Quality, not quantity, is key.

Responsibility for staff on a temporary contract

We feel responsible for the future prospects of staff on a temporary contract, such as PhD candidates and postdocs, as well as support staff. We provide information about their career prospects at an early stage and offer opportunities for further training. PhD candidates and postdocs are given opportunities to gain teaching experience.

An attractive employer

To remain attractive as an employer, we seek to anticipate the needs of new generations entering the international job market. Newer generations of graduates place high demands on work and the working environment, something that we, as an employer, are keenly aware of. This means that we have to invest in our ability to attract staff and in our talent policy, as well as in modern and transparent recruitment and selection procedures.

An organisation that can readily adapt

As a university, we operate in a dynamic academic and social environment. This calls for an organisation that can readily adapt and that places high demands on the flexibility of our lecturers, researchers, support staff and students. In doing so, Radboud University pays attention to the well-being and workload of its staff and students and is actively involved in issues regarding the health of its staff and students. At the same time, our organisation needs to be effective and efficient. To further strengthen the organisation, we are committed to improving its flexibility and efficiency, for example by harmonising processes where possible and where necessary.

Facilities