[Senior-staff-physics-and-astronomy] FW: collaborations with external parties (sensitive)

[Beta NAT Secretariaat]

Dear All,

On the behalf of Johannes, could you please give input about the topic below no later than 9th of February, 09.00, please kindly send to us and copy Johannes.

Thank you in advance and kind regards,



“Which guidelines should the VU University Amsterdam have in place to evaluate and assess collaboration requests from the fossil fuel sector, in order to generate most impact towards a more sustainable society?”


Secretariat, Department Physics & Astronomy
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

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Begin forwarded message:

From: "Esch, I.J.P. de (IJP)" <i.de.esch at vu.nl<mailto:i.de.esch at vu.nl>>
Subject: RE: collaborations with external parties (sensitive)
Date: 25 January 2023 at 13:54:59 CET
To: "managers.beta at listserver.vu.nl<mailto:managers.beta at listserver.vu.nl>" <managers.beta at listserver.vu.nl<mailto:managers.beta at listserver.vu.nl>>, Beta AHO <aho.beta at vu.nl<mailto:aho.beta at vu.nl>>

Dear all,

As you might know, the discussions about collaboration with the fossil fuel industry are getting more sensitive by the day. Earlier, I asked you to let me know about collaborations with this sector. Next to this, the university is organizing a dialogue about this particular topic. Please look at the message below from Davide Iannuzzi (chief impact officer); I realize that many of you have received this message earlier. Please inform colleagues that can contribute to this discussion. During the next AHO meeting, we will discuss the faculty’s position. Please let me know if you have any input for me to consider! In addition, please let me know if internal discussions are leading to tensions; Davide and FB will try to help if needed (e.g., by explaining the importance of the dialogue).

Best regards,
Iwan de Esch
Science Faculty, Director of Valorisation




As a value-driven university, the VU Amsterdam has the ambition to foster a safe and inclusive environment where our community can have open discussions around current societal challenges.

Reflecting on collaborating with the fossil fuel industry
Following this ambition and in view of recent events (see Samenwerken met Shell past universiteiten nu echt niet meer | Trouw<https://www.trouw.nl/opinie/samenwerken-met-shell-past-universiteiten-nu-echt-niet-meer~b2016961/?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.nl%2F>; Shell verdient onze wetenschap niet | Advalvas (vu.nl)<https://www.advalvas.vu.nl/opinie/shell-verdient-onze-wetenschap-niet>; Dialog visit Transition Lab Shell - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (vu.nl)<https://vu.nl/en/news/2022/dialog-visit-transition-lab-shell>), the College van Bestuur (CvB) has decided to initiate a dialogue across the campus where we could reflect on the role of academic collaborations with the fossil fuel industry in the energy transition landscape, and has delegated me as kwartiermaker for the coordination of the project.

The project develops in three consecutive phases: consultation, dialogue, and decision making.

First phase: consultation
For the first phase (the consultation phase), different groups of stakeholders of our campus are invited to reflect on how we should approach collaborations with fossil fuel companies. I would thus like to ask you whether you could combine your reflections in a short position paper (one or two pages), which I will share with the CvB and with the College of Deans.
The specific question I would like to ask you to address is:
“Which guidelines should the VU University Amsterdam have in place to evaluate and assess collaboration requests from the fossil fuel sector, in order to generate most impact towards a more sustainable society?”

Second phase: dialogue
The second phase (the dialogue phase) consists of an open consultation session where the consulted stakeholders elaborate on their reflections. It is our goal to create a safe environment where everyone feels free to present their ideas and can be heard with open attitude. It would be an honor to host you during this event (yet to be planned), where one of your representatives - if desired - may elaborate on your reflections.

Final phase: decision making
On the basis of the outcome of the previous two steps, the CvB, in coordination with the College of Deans, will finally assess different approaches that could well represent the opinion expressed in the previous two phases within the context of our strategic plan.

It is important to stress that, to keep the timeline aligned with the urgency of the discussion, it has been decided to limit the project to the fossil fuel sector.

Call to action
I would appreciate it if you could provide your position paper before February 12 via email at d.iannuzzi at vu.nl<mailto:d.iannuzzi at vu.nl>. The dialogue phase will take place shortly after that. I will send you an invitation as soon as the date is fixed.

I thank you in advance for the support you may be able to provide.

Van: Esch, I.J.P. de (IJP)
Verzonden: 21 December 2022 16:07
Aan: managers.beta at listserver.vu.nl<mailto:managers.beta at listserver.vu.nl>; Beta AHO <aho.beta at vu.nl<mailto:aho.beta at vu.nl>>
CC: 'Esch, I.J.P. de (IJP)' <i.de.esch at vu.nl<mailto:i.de.esch at vu.nl>>
Onderwerp: collaborations with external parties (sensitive)


Dear all,

The following mail contains sensitive information; please treat with special care.

There have been ongoing discussions about our responsibilities when establishing research programs with external parties.  The recent escalation by environmental activists prompts the university to accelerate this discussion, especially regarding our activities with the fossil fuel industry (Shell, BP, etc). You can expect more information from our CvB soon. Following the news in recent weeks, you will understand why VU and other universities are alarmed.

The faculty board would like to know about new and emerging activities with the fossil fuel industry that your department might be initiating. Knowing about these initiatives will help us manage the sensitivities.

Also, I would appreciate it if you could connect me with PIs that can contribute to answering the following question: “Which guidelines should the VU University Amsterdam have in place to evaluate and assess collaboration requests from the fossil fuel sector, in order to generate most impact towards a more sustainable society?”

We are confident that external collaborations are already considered carefully, but clear and useful guidelines are important assets these days.

Please get in touch with me if you can provide relevant information.

Best regards, on behalf of the faculty board,

Iwan de Esch



Prof. dr. Iwan J.P. de Esch
Professor, Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Sciences
Director of Valorisation, Faculty of Science

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Working days: Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr | T +31 20 59 87841 | i.de.esch at vu.nl<mailto:i.de.esch at vu.nl>
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