Programme manager

<p>Ineke van Halsema is temporarily replacing the programme manager of the Steering Group for Social Safety. She is an anthropologist by training and has worked in various roles in Higher Education. She first spent around twenty years as a teaching researcher at several universities, mostly in gender studies. She then moved into management and executive positions at universities of applied sciences, including serving as Programme Director for Diversity and Anti-Discrimination. The theme of Social Safety has been a consistent thread throughout her professional life.</p>


Ineke van Halsema

Laurie Slegtenhorst

Together, we strengthen social safety in higher education and science. 

About the steering group

Chair

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Febe Deug is actively involved in promoting social safety from multiple perspectives. She serves as the chair of the Steering Group Social Safety, the independent Integrity Committee at the Ministry of Justice and Security, Mores (the platform against harassment in the cultural and media sectors) and Radar (anti-discrimination). Additionally, she is a supervisor in the education sector. Previously, Febe worked as a consultant, assisting organisations in developing diversity and inclusion policies. She has also conducted research on sexual violence, published on the topic and provided training and advice on prevention and response strategies.  </span></p>


Febe Deug

Covenant partner

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Maaike Krom is Chair of the Dutch Student Union (LSVb) for the 2024-2025 academic year. </span></p>


Maaike Krom

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Annet Lekkerkerker has been a member of the Executive Board of the Amsterdam University of the Arts (AHK) since 2019 and has served as Chair since 2023. Within the steering group, she represents universities of applied sciences on behalf of the Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences (VH). Annet is committed to creating a safe and supportive learning and working environment where students and staff can thrive and develop their talents. </span></p>


Annet Lekkerkerker

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Arnoud Lagendijk is a Professor of Economic Geography at Radboud University Nijmegen and a board member of the General Education Union (AOb). With extensive expertise in regional development, innovation and strategic planning, he has published widely on clustering, regional identities, and mobility. Arnoud is deeply committed to social safety, focusing on both direct support for affected individuals and policy development. He bridges academic research with practical solutions, contributing to initiatives that connect local and global processes. </span></p>


Arnoud Lagendijk

<p>Anna Heerdink is a general board member of Promovendi Netwerk Nederland (PNN), the national advocacy organization for PhD candidates. On behalf of PNN and PostdocNL, she is committed to improving social safety in the academic working environment. Anna is a PhD candidate at Leiden University, where she conducts research on science communication. She strives to create an environment that is safe and inclusive, enabling early-career researchers to develop to their fullest potential.</p>


Anna Heerdink

Convenant partner

<p>Sam de Jong is a political advocate for the Interstedelijk Studenten Overleg (ISO), the largest student advocacy organization in higher professional education (hbo) and research universities (wo). He has already been able to contribute to the important theme of social safety through participation in student representation and the trade union in Delft, and is therefore honored to now take on this role within the steering group. In the steering group, he will represent the voice of students and implement the structural changes needed to make social safety self-evident.</p>


Sam de Jong

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jantine Schuit is the Rector Magnificus of Erasmus University Rotterdam (since November 2024). With a background in health and prevention, she has held various roles at the RIVM and in higher education, including as Dean and Professor at Tilburg University. Within the Steering Group, Jantine is committed to fostering a socially and psychologically safe academic environment where students and staff feel protected and can thrive. </span></p>
<p>Within the steering group, she represents the universities on behalf of Universities of the Netherlands</p>


Jantine Schuit

Expert

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Marijke Naezer is a cultural anthropologist and gender studies scholar, working as an independent researcher. Her expertise lies in gender, diversity and sexuality. She has conducted groundbreaking research on social safety in academia (2019) and the Dutch Parliament (2023). In addition to her research, Marijke delivers lectures and advises organisations on workplace safety and misconduct prevention. She leverages her academic insights within the steering group to drive practical improvements. </span></p>


Marijke Naezer 

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Paul Goossens is the Manager of Integral Safety at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, where he oversees the coordination of integrity issues and incidents. With over 40 years of experience in safety and security, Paul has developed tools such as a social safety monitor and resources on concerning behaviour and polarisation. He is dedicated to integrating care and safety within higher education and applies a multidisciplinary approach. Paul holds a Master’s in Security &amp; Risk Management from Leicester University (2006).  </span></p>


Paul Goossens

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Saniye Çelik is a Special Professor of Diversity and Inclusion at the Police, affiliated with the National Police, and a lecturer at Leiden University of Applied Sciences. She is an expert in diversity, leadership and social safety. Saniye believes that social safety thrives in cultures built on trust, respect and openness. Through the steering group, she aims to connect academic research with practical solutions, fostering inclusive and safe learning and working environments.</div>
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Saniye Çelik

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Willy van Berlo works at Rutgers, focusing on the prevention of sexual misconduct and violence. She combines research with the development and implementation of interventions for vulnerable groups and the training of professionals working with young people. Through Rutgers, Willy also leads campaigns to influence social norms. In the steering group, she brings her expertise to contribute to safer learning and working environments in higher education.  </span></p>


Willy van Berlo

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Laurie Slegtenhorst is the Programme manager for the steering group. She previously advocated for the wellbeing of PhD candidates as Chair of the Faculty Council at Erasmus University and worked on national policies for burnout prevention and psychosocial work-related stress at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment. Laurie draws on her diverse experience to support the steering group in achieving its goals. </span></p>


Stagiair

<p>Arne Römgens will be doing an internship with the Steering Group until December. He is studying International Relations at the University of Groningen and has gained experience with the topic of social safety as chair of ACLO, the student sports organization in Groningen. Arne supports the Steering Group in organizing the conference and actively contributes from a student’s perspective to help achieve the Steering Group’s objectives.</p>


Arne Römgens

The steering group comprises representatives from six covenant partners: Universities of the Netherlands (UNL), the Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences (VH), FNV/AOb, the National Student Union (LSVb), the Dutch National Student Association (ISO) and the PhD Network Netherlands (PNN), which also represents PostdocNL.  

Five independent experts also participate, bringing specialised knowledge on topics such as social safety, diversity and inclusion, integrated safety, organisational change and sexual harassment. The steering group is led by an independent chair and supported by a programme team.  