Equity, diversity and inclusion
Promoting scientific research and increasing scientific and societal impact – in short, the success of NWO-I – depends entirely on the commitment, quality, enthusiasm and diversity of our staff. We strive to create an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels at home and has the opportunity to develop in a fair environment.
Work is being carried out across NWO-I and within individual institutes to promote diversity, inclusion and equality (DIG). For example, we have Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) – staff networks organised around various themes. ERGs provide a space where historically under-represented groups can meet, as well as raising awareness and promoting DIG policies.
Open Science and Open Access
Making scientific publications at NWO institutes available via Open Access is important for several reasons. Firstly, because it benefits researchers’ academic careers when their work is freely accessible. Research shows that OA publications are read and cited more frequently and have a greater impact. As such, the OA availability of publications contributes to the academic reputation of both the researcher and the institute for which they work. Furthermore, it is important that the results of publicly funded research are made publicly available to everyone as much as possible.
NWO-I is committed to 100% Open Access. For this reason, NWO-I requires that all publications written (in whole or in part) by NWO-I staff be made available via open access immediately upon publication. NWO-I accepts various routes to Open Access.
See also the NWO-I policy framework Open Access publishing
Scientific integrity
NWO-I considers it vital that scientific research is conducted in a fair, rigorous, transparent, independent and responsible manner at every stage of the research process. After all, research that lacks integrity can cause harm and undermine trust in science and the trust between scientists or researchers.
NWO-I endorses the Dutch Code of Conduct for Scientific Integrity. This code of conduct sets out five principles of scientific integrity:
- Honesty
- Scrupulousness
- Transparency
- Independence
- Responsibility
With this code, the Netherlands is aligning itself with international developments in the field of academic integrity.
Recognition & Rewards
You achieve the best results when you can do what you are good at or aspire to be good at, and when you can be yourself. NWO-I supports national and international efforts to modernise our definitions of academic success. Through the Recognition & Appreciation (R&A) programme, we aim to fundamentally renew the way in which we evaluate, support and value staff within NWO-I. Within NWO-I, this primarily concerns five key areas: Research, Impact, Education, Leadership and the national role of the institutes. In doing so, we are explicitly focusing not only on researchers but on all staff.
In 2019, NWO signed the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), and in 2022 the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment (ARRA). NWO, and therefore NWO-I, is also a member of CoARA.