Update 1 May 2024
The professor in question is Corinne Hofman, Dutch newspaper NRC reported (in Dutch) on Wednesday based on interviews with insiders. Sources within the university also confirmed to Leiden university magazine Mare (in Dutch) that Hofman is involved. She is a professor of archaeology and was dean of the archaeology faculty between 2013 and 2018. To NRC, she reports that she ‘unfortunately cannot make any statements about this case at this stage of the process’. The partner’s name is known to NRC, writes that newspaper, but is not mentioned.
Leiden University has suspended a full professor who, together with their partner, is said to be guilty of abuse of power, manipulation and violation of scientific integrity. The university announced this on Thursday. It is not known what the professor’s name is or which faculty they work at. However, university magazine Mare (in Dutch) reports that they have worked at the university for 33 years.
During all that time, there was allegedly a culture of fear among employees who depended on them, the university said. Among other things, the professor allegedly appropriated others’ research material and ‘monopolised’ certain data. Since autumn last year, a total of 19 reporters, including PhD students, postdocs and students, spoke to an investigation committee. In addition, administrators, peers and experts were heard.
Since the start of the investigation, the professor has been suspended. Furthermore, their partner is no longer welcome at the university. The Executive Board has requested the professor’s dismissal; if approved, the scientist will no longer be allowed to call themselves a professor.
Lessons
Next month, the Leiden Executive Board will disclose an (anonymised) investigation report on the issue. President of the Excutive Board Annetje Ottow wants to draw lessons from it, she writes in the statement. Problems with power, dependency and competitive spirit are ‘not just an issue in this faculty and at our institution’, she writes besides that.
Not only at TU Delft, but also at Leiden University, social unsafety is a topic that has long occupied minds. In 2023, for instance, Tim de Zeeuw was sacked, the professor of astronomy said to be guilty of multiple abuses of power and unwanted behaviour. Earlier, professors in pedagogical sciences were discredited (in Dutch) for the poor working climate of which they were identified as the cause after investigations.
HOP, Bas Belleman/Kim Bakker
Social safety at TU Delft
The Education Inspectorate report published in March showed that social safety at TU Delft is a big issue as well. Delta publishes extensively about this topic. Take a look at our dossier to see what we have written about it so far.
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