Conduct and integrity

Universiteiten van Nederland (Association of Universities in the Netherlands) has produced various codes of conduct on education, research, and business operations. Tilburg University is committed to complying with these codes. There is an overview of codes of conduct for the universities on the website Universiteiten van Nederland. The Dutch universities observe rules to prevent any market distortion when they undertake marketing activities.

The rapid growth of social media in combination with the ease of use and the potential reach of messages make social media attractive communication channels. Tilburg University encourages the use of these channels. However, these applications can also have consequences that are deemed less desirable. The employee, at all times, holds the responsibility for his or her comments made on social media.

To avoid possible negative consequences, the social media guidelines have been drawn up for Tilburg University employees.

Tilburg University has a two-tier governance structure: management and supervision are separate functions.

The Board of Governors has an independent position and monitors the university’s objectives. It functions as a Supervisory Board. The outside activities of the members of the Executive Board have been approved by the Board of Governors’ Remuneration Committee. These outside activities are governed by the Ancillary activities Regulations

The Dutch universities observe rules to prevent any market distortion when they undertake market activities. These rules are set out in the Code of Good Governance for Universities. At Tilburg University, this Code is fully in force. Ways in which the Code is being implemented are detailed in reports by the Board of Governors and the Executive Board in Tilburg University’s annual report (in Dutch).

The Administration and Management Regulations regulate the administration, management, and structure of the university. It contains provisions on the delegation of the management and administrative powers to the relevant bodies within the university and sets out the university's structure.

Tilburg University endorses the Netherlands Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (2018). This code applies to all research projects and activities started after 1 October, 2018. For projects and activities that were started before October 1, 2018, the Netherlands Code of Conduct for Academic Practice (revised in 2014) applies.

Research integrity is an essential and integral part of good research practices and is a key element in the education of future generations of researchers. Tilburg University is committed to protecting and guaranteeing research integrity. 

Training Research Integrity

All Tilburg University researchers are strongly encouraged to complete the e-learning module on research integrity. The module provides insights into responsible and questionable research practices, applicable regulations and information on relevant Tilburg University policies. For PhD researchers, the e-learning module on research integrity is compulsory.

The University also expects PhD researchers to partake in a face-to-face training. The training provides the opportunity to discuss the norms of good science and the virtues of a good scientist with fellow PhD researchers, as well as how to navigate grey areas of research and integrity dilemmas. PhD researchers receive an invitation to the workshop through the TiSEM graduate school.

For (co-)supervisors of PhD researchers, a one-day master class is being offered. During the day, the focus is on the relationship between (co-) supervisor and PhD researcher.

For more information or in case of questions, contact Integrity Training.

Confidential Advisor on Research Integrity

The Confidential Advisor on Research Integrity, Prof. W.J.M. van Genugten, can be contacted for any concerns and/or complaints about research integrity. If the confidential advisor believes a complaint can be resolved amicably, he will attempt to mediate, or he will offer advice on how to file a complaint with the Research Integrity Committee. More information can be found here.

Tilburg University Research Integrity Committee

Tilburg University ensures a transparent process for reviewing cases where research integrity may have been violated. It is possible for complaints to be dealt with anonymously. Research Integrity Complaints Regulations Tilburg University (version 1 november 2019) regulates the submitting and handling of complaints and aims to lower the threshold for reporting suspicions of research misconduct.

If it concerns complaints submitted before November 1, 2019 the Tilburg University Scientific Integrity Regulations (version 2012) apply.

Official complaints must be filed in writing with the Research Integrity Committee. The Committee will investigate the complaint and will offer its opinion to the Executive Board.

You can file a complaint using the following contact information:

Tilburg University
Research Integrity Committee
Room C 125
P.O. Box 90153
5000 LE Tilburg

E-mail: cwi@tilburguniversity.edu

Members Research Integrity Committee 

The members of the Research Integrity Committee come from all faculties of Tilburg University. A complaint or request is dealt with by the chair and two members. The composition is determined on a case-by-case basis.

The Netherlands Board on Research Integrity (LOWI)

A second opinion on a decision of the Executive board based on the advice of the Scientific Integrity Committee may be sought from the National Board for Research Integrity (LOWI), an independent advisory body established by KNAW, VSNU and NWO. See also the LOWI Regulations.

The core idea of preserving and providing access to research data is verifiability and, if necessary, re-use / replication. The regulation research data management describes Tilburg University’s vision on the careful handling of, managing of, and providing sustainable access to research data.

The Sectoral Scheme Covering Ancillary Activities (July 2017) is part of the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CLA) and is a further elaboration of Article 1.14 of the CLA. The procedure and possible derogations of the Sectorial Scheme by Tilburg University are given below. In the “frequently asked questions Tilburg University regarding the sectorial scheme ancillary activities Dutch Universities,” the scheme and the procedure are explained in more detail.

All Tilburg University employees and also professors not on payroll (some professors by special appointment) who are appointed by the Executive Board, are obliged to report and ask for permission for their work for third parties in accordance with the Sectoral Scheme Covering Ancillary Activities. Even if they do not work for third parties, this must be reported.
This applies to Tilburg University in derogation of Article 7 of the Sectoral Scheme even if the employment or stay is shorter than six months. For practical considerations and transparency, the university considers it desirable that all employees and professors report their ancillary activities upon taking up employment or being appointed by the Executive Board irrespective of the length of the employment/stay.

This applies to work for third parties that an employee engages in before the commencement of the employment at Tilburg University or prior to the appointment as professor by the Tilburg University Executive Board, to work for third parties engaged in after commencement of employment or after being appointed by the Executive Board, and to possible changes of the existing ancillary activities.

Registration and Request for Permission

Registration of work for third parties, changes thereof, and requests for permission is done online through My Employee Portal. Even if employees do not engage in work for third parties, they register this online via My Employee Portal. New employees have to report whether or not they engage in work for third parties within a month after commencement of their employment in the personnel system via My Employee Portal. This is included in the employment contract or letter of appointment for a professor not on payroll. When reporting, the employee/professor states the organization for which he/she performs the ancillary activities, the number of hours spent on the ancillary activities, what kind of work it concerns, and whether the ancillary activities are paid for or not.

After the employee reported the ancillary activities in My Employee Portal, a digital workflow will be started in which the HR advisor advises the supervisor and, subsequently, the supervisor advises the Managing Director or the Dean. The Managing Director or the Dean makes a decision regarding the permission and the possible conditions. The employee will then receive a notification of the decision. The decision regarding the Managing Directors’ or Deans’ ancillary activities is made by the Executive Board.

Ancillary activities of academic staff registered in My Employee Portal in the English language will automatically become visible on the researcher’s Academic Profile Page, provided the researcher tagged them ‘Agree to publish’.

Job and P&TD Interviews

Because the Dutch Universities take transparency of the ancillary activities extremely seriously, supervision has been tightened up in the past few years and the Sectoral Scheme Covering Ancillary Activities has been formulated. The accuracy of the information on the Experts & Expertise pages and the registration in My Employee Portal will be checked regularly.
In the last stage of the selection procedure in which the terms and conditions of employment are agreed upon, supervisors are expected to find out whether there are ancillary activities about which discussion may arise. Possibly, agreements can already be made whether the work for third parties can be done. In addition, ancillary activities will be a fixed item in the Performance & Talent Development interviews. Furthermore, attention will be paid to this topic regularly in the consultations of organization units and Departments.

Frequently Asked Questions

More information is included in the Sectoral Scheme and in the frequently asked questions Tilburg University regarding the Sectoral Scheme Covering Ancillary Activities Dutch Universities.

Tilburg University attaches great importance to being able to report suspicions of misconduct. If employees, students, confidential advisors or other parties involved wish to report suspicions of misconducts at Tilburg University which put a major social interest at stake, there is a clear procedure for doing so. This procedure is described in the Whistleblowers' Regulations. The regulation also aims to protect the whistleblower the moment they report suspicions of misconducts. These regulations were drafted to help contribute to an honest and transparent organization and good governance.

Tilburg University wants to provide in a save social environment for visitors, students and employees. In short, a culture in which respect for one another is key, and visitors, students and employees can develop and

There are different forms of unacceptable behavior: sexual harassment, bullying, aggression and violence and discrimination. If you experience certain behavior as disturbing, this is every reason to term it unacceptable behavior.

Unacceptable behavior can cause work or study performance to deteriorate, or can create a hostile, intimidating or unpleasant work or study environment. It is important to tackle undesirable behavior. Each employee, student and visitor is expected to make an active contribution, not only in relation to his/her own behavior, but also by taking an alert attitude to all forms of unacceptable behavior one identifies, because unacceptable behavior is absolutely undesirable.

The university wants to prevent unacceptable behavior and treat complaints about unacceptable behavior  in a proper way. For that, a complaints regulation unacceptable behavior is set, and confidential advisors are appointed on behalve of the first care of persons that are confronted with unacceptable behavior.

Confidential advisors

The confidential advisors can help you to solve problems and conflicts. They are also the contact point for employees, students and visitors on campus who are faced with unacceptable behavior, for example, sexual harassment, bullying, aggression and violence, or discrimination. They are the contact point as well when abuse is suspected, or for an employee involved in a conflict for which the regular channels have not led to a solution.

Ombuds officer for staff

As an addition to the existing help structure, employees can also contact the ombuds officer for staff if a need arises in the working situation for independent and impartial advice, referral, or mediation.

No experiments involving animals (in Dutch) take place at Tilburg University.

General information

• All applications for promotional activities must go through the Facility Service Desk.
• Commercial activities by persons, businesses and institutions not connected to the university are not permitted.
• The following promotional activities are permitted, subject to the House Rules for Promotional Activities, at the designated places in the buildings and on the university grounds:
  • Hanging of posters.
  • Distribution of flyers.
  • Renting of information stands.
  • Hanging of banners.
  • Placing of equipment and/or objects.
• All promotional activities are assessed against the Tilburg University House Rules and the House Rules for Promotional Activities. You are therefore requested to read these house rules carefully before submitting your application.
• Activities relating to university elections are subject to specific rules: the House Rules for Promotional Activities - Elections.
• Permission is required to rent information stands, hang banners and place objects. You must apply for permission to the Facility Service Desk.
• The Safety & Security Department monitors compliance with the House Rules for Promotional Activities. Instructions from the Safety & Security Department must be obeyed.

House Rules  for Promotional Activities

• House rules Tilburg University
• Campus Communication rules
• House rules library