Amplifying diverse voices from all faculties and service centers to ensure every staff member’s concerns are heard during this time of uncertainty.
Standing together with all staff to fairly distribute the impact of budget cuts and defend job security and quality across the university.
Defending UM’s international character while advocating for inclusive integration and specific support for non-EU staff facing policy uncertainties.
Fighting for equitable career development opportunities and proper recognition for both academic (WP) and support staff (OBP).
Ensuring clear communication about critical changes affecting our community, from MUMC+ integration to budget decisions and policy implementations.
We are LEAD: Leadership for an Equitable Academic Democracy. As a diverse coalition of academic (WP) and support staff (OBP) from all faculties and service centers, we represent the full spectrum of our UM colleagues. In these uncertain times, our approach is simple yet powerful:
We show up. We listen. We act.
Our members are actively engaged at both University and Faculty Council levels, serving as a strong, collective voice for staff concerns. We believe that inclusive governance leads to better outcomes for everyone in our community. By amplifying diverse perspectives and advocating for transparent processes, we work toward a more democratic university where all staff members’ contributions are valued and recognized.
Below are all of our current candidates for 2025. These are all of our people standing for election at the Faculty Council or University Council level, and include both scientific and support staff members.
It is an honour to serve as a council member and represent support staff. During my first term I gained a lot of insights and learned how our university is governed and the role of the University Council. The work of the council does influence policy and decision making on important topics.
Connecting with fellow council members and colleagues from faculties and service units is very valuable and such a pleasure! And with our students. They show us why this work is important: creating an inclusive environment for all and making their time at UM an unforgettable positive experience.
I am a neurobiologist studying age-associated brain disorders at MERLN Institute (FHML). After working in different European countries and overseas, I have recently established my research group at Maastricht University. Because of this experience, I truly believe in the values and positive impacts of an international and multicultural environment. My motivation to join the Council as a LEAD candidate is to support an inclusive community, especially now, when its value risks being overlooked.
I see the university as more than an institution—I believe in a Humboldtian ideal: a living community where research and education lead to synergy, both within individuals and across the university. With experience as a researcher, teacher, and manager in neuroscience, computer science, and educational psychology, I understand the challenges we face from multiple angles. I have served in participatory bodies as a student, employee, and chair. I believe a council should be a sharp, critical friend to the board—representing the voices of staff with clarity and conviction, guarding a community where knowledge leads, but people are never left behind.
I am an Associate Professor in Management Accounting whose research examines leadership and trust in organizations. Two years ago, I served on the University Council’s Operations Committee, focusing on budgeting, sustainable investments, and staff well-being issues like work pressure and disability support.
I chaired the Maastricht Young Academy and now serve on the Elinor Ostrom Fund board at SBE. Through my research and these roles, I have seen how important transparent, evidence-based decision-making and cross-faculty collaboration are. If elected, I will promote fair budgeting, a supportive workplace, and a sustainable campus that reflects our university’s values, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard.
You can expect me to focus on maintaining opportunity and a sense of community for everyone—whether you're part of our OBP, a lecturer, a PhD candidate, or any type of professor.
The previous FC has made great strides in this area, particularly with their 10% project. I want to build on their efforts while staying mindful of the tough decisions ahead due to budget cuts.
To achieve this, you can expect me to remain as open-eared as possible. Both through formal channels, but also informally, by the coffee machine, over a hallway chat, or wherever else we might cross paths.
I'm a jurist by training and currently an education policy advisor at FASoS. I value the international character of theUM and the diversity within our community. This is what makes us strong!
As a young support staff member, I know it’s hard to start a career. It takes hard work and recognition. As your representative, I will fight for the recognition&rewards of support staff, for diversity within the UM, and push for a clear and inclusive decision-making.
The voices of support staff are strong - and should stay strong within the University Council. If you vote for me that is a guarantee!
Higher education is under pressure: politically, financially, and ethically. At UM, we must defend what matters: small-scale teaching, integrity, accessibility, and an international academic community built on trust.
As Chair of the University Council's Research & Education Committee and former Chair of the FSE Faculty Council, I’ve helped shape vague policy into concrete action; on GenAI, digitalization, and disability support. My experience with neurodivergence deepens my commitment to inclusion that’s real, not rhetorical.
I bring years of experience in representation, but more importantly, I bring care, clarity, and collaboration.
If you believe in a principled university, I’d be honored to have your vote.
Serving on the University Council has been an incredible honor. With nine years at UM in research, education, and support, I’ve seen both the challenges we face and the strength of our community. Advocating for my colleagues by listening, learning, and bringing their concerns forward has been a privilege, and I’m excited to run for another term.
As UM navigates uncertainties, I remain committed to a strong, sustainable future for all staff. With your support, I will continue to champion transparency, stability, and a university where every voice is heard. Let’s move forward together!
We need solidarity and strategic vision to deal with the current uncertainties in Dutch Higher Education. I will draw on my experience as WOinActie organizer and my knowledge of the many parts of our institution to fight for policy that gives the whole UM community a sustainable future.
As a political philosopher working on the threats posed to democracy by concentrated wealth, I care deeply about maintaining publicly funded and academically free universities. Let's push for UM to lead by example in bolstering democracy: as an accountable, inclusive, and sustainable institution that trusts in the voice of its constituency!
As a Lecturer Level 3, I understand the challenges of building an academic career after three postdocs—including one at UC Berkeley. I chose teaching and will advocate for fair career opportunities, transparent promotion, and social safety for all staff. Budget cuts shouldn’t hurt those at the bottom while others earn excessive salaries.
With a background in data science, bioinformatics, and environmental health sciences, I work at DACS and FSE Central Office (UTQ) and promote science communication and outreach as city coordinator for Pint of Science Maastricht and a lecturer for KidzCollege. Let’s make Maastricht University more inclusive and engaged!
What I do in FASOS: GTD and former MUSTS member; environmental historian; coordinator in three BA programs; member of the EPC of the BA Arts and Culture; have worked on four different temporary contracts in different branches of the UM prior to becoming UD.
Why I am running for Faculty Council: I believe in the importance of making sustainability a key concern in faculty operations, research support, and teaching programs.
At the UM and in my personal life, I am passionate about health@work and sustainable work in line with your talents, Physical Activity for all (able and less able, healthy and chronically ill), nutrition. At the UM, I follow these themes with interest.
I would love to bring my experience and commitment in the following areas to the council :
Leadership: authentic leadership, serving leadership
Transparency in career paths for OBP as a part of ‘recognition and rewards’
Health at work and the link with sustainable employability
What I do in FASOS: UD-1 in Philosophy Department; teach in the BA and MA Arts and Culture programmes. Currently academic secretary of AMC, doing occasional forays into MUSTS and enjoying creating bridges between different research groups. Member of the Board of Examiners for the last two years.
Why I am running for Faculty Council: My involvement in the Arts and Culture programmes has made me aware of the threat to the humanities at this political juncture. I will lend my expertise to ensure that all of FASoS's educational programmes continue to thrive under a prevailing principle of solidarity.
What I do in FASOS: DSS/GTD and sometimes visiting MUSTS; UD2->UD1->UHD2; teaching in MA & Minor GDS, BA GS, and sometimes CAST; Sector Plan local leader - Social Inequality and Diversity; member of Centre for Gender & Diversity; former member GSAB, former Programme Director; my Bandito’s order is a double shot macchiato and kaneelbroodje.
Why I am running for Faculty Council: I pulled this list together for LEAD to ensure that strong voices will be present on the FC, who are ready to show up and contribute constructively to our faculty’s future.
What I do in FASOS: UD-1 in Politics Department; teach in BA and MA ES, also in Minor GDS. Chair the MA EPC “Europe in a Globalising World”. Currently grateful for the opportunity to co-coordinate a large Horizon Europe consortium with 14 institutions across the world.
Why I am running for Faculty Council: I truly value the diverse community of students and staff at FASoS, with concern about the growing pushback against internationalisation. I am eager to think creatively about how we can best foster societal support for it - while ensuring that our institutional responses work for everyone.
In 2023 I was elected as a council member for the faculty of LAW (Support Staff), in this period I learned a lot from working with different council-members, the faculty board but also from my own constituents. Positive change can only be initiated with the valuable input from all stakeholders.
As a scheduler and SAP keyuser I am constantly in contact with different UM stakeholders, getting input about shaping a balanced, inclusive and positive work- and learning environment. My goal is to contribute to the latter as much as I can.
I'm an Associate Professor of Criminology and a sitting member of the University Council. I'm a devoted counsellor, a kind colleague, and a non-EEU member of the UM and Maastricht community. On the council I've worked hard on issues affecting Early Career academics, researchers, international staff, and colleagues who are carers/parents.
I believe in the international character of our university. As we face unprecedented budget cuts that threaten to alter the very fabric of our community, a vote for me is a vote for building, not tearing apart, despite the challenges to come. My door is always open, I'll listen.
LEAD stands for Leadership for an Equitable Academic Democracy. We are a UM party networked across administrative boundaries: we currently hold 3 WP seats in the University Council and are represented in several Faculty Councils, Read more…
LEAD is an interfaculty coalition of both academic (WP) and support (OBP) staff dedicated to proactively promoting leadership, equity and democracy at Maastricht University. We believe that an equitable workforce in research and education fosters Read more…
Leadership for an Equitable Academic Democracy (LEAD) is a broad coalition of both support and management (OBP) and academic (WP) staff who aim to promote leadership, equity, and democracy, which we see as deeply interconnected Read more…
The coming two years will be marked by uncertainty for UM on many fronts. We are running for the University Council because we want to address these uncertainties in ways that give the whole UM Read more…
If you want to contact us, feel free to approach anyone listed above in person or by email. These addresses are available through the UM systems such as Outlook or UMployee.
For more urgent or general matters, please contact Janosch Prinz at j.prinz@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
For anything else, feel free to use the contact form.
