Organization
The VU-GSSS has a multi-layered governance structure. It operates under the ultimate responsibility and authority of the Faculty Board of the Faculty of Social Sciences. The VU-GSSS is directed by the Academic Director (a full professor), appointed for a term of 3 years (renewable once).
The Academic Director is responsible for the overall functioning of the VU-GSSS and answers to the Faculty Board. In addition, the Academic Director chairs the faculty’s Working Group for Talented Female Scholars (Werkgroep Vrouwelijk Talent).
The Programme Director is appointed from among the lecturers teaching in the MSR and PhD programmes, and answers to the Academic Director. The Programme Director coordinates the day-to-day operation of the coursework, tutorials and individual supervision provided to the graduate students. The Programme Director also serves as advisor to the students, referring them to the appropriate offices for their questions.
The Executive Assistant (Course Director) answers to the Academic Director and serves as secretary for the Graduate School Assessment Board and the MSR Exams Board. The Executive Assistant coordinates and manages the day-to-day functioning of the Graduate School, in close cooperation with the Programme Director.
The Executive VU-GSSS Secretary runs the office of the Graduate School, is responsible for the implementation of formal arrangements and administers official correspondence. The Executive Secretary answers to the Academic Director and the Course Director of the Faculty.
The MSR Curriculum Committee
The functions and composition of the MSR Curriculum Committee are prescribed by law. The PhD Programme Council fulfills roughly similar functions. Both bodies organize the systematical feedback by MSR students and PhD candidates. The PhD Programme Council consists of the Graduate Course Director, one lecturer in the PhD programme, one supervisor, and three elected student members; the Executive Assistant serves as secretary of this Council. These bodies are installed by the Faculty Board and perform their duties independently.
The Graduate School Assessment Board
The Graduate School Assessment Board and the MSR Exams Board, although legally separate, are composed partially by the same individuals. This Board is chaired by one of its members (a full professor), and further consists of 4 full/associate professors. The Executive Assistant serves as secretary of the Board. The Board can delegate part of its duties to subcommittees; its tasks include the legally prescribed tasks of the MSR Exams Board and, in addition, the admission of new PhD candidates, approval of PhD study programmes, advice regarding the 8-months papers where necessary, the annual progress reports by the departments, and the applications for financial support by graduate students. The Graduate School Assessment Board advises the Academic Director in all matters concerning the Graduate School programmes. Again, this body is installed by the Faculty Board and performs its duties independently.
The International Advisory Board
The International Advisory Board is composed of three prominent social scientists from different relevant disciplines and from different backgrounds in terms of institutional affiliation.
The Academic Advisory Council
The Academic Advisory Council, composed of all professors and associate professors in the FSS, and convened by the Faculty Board Secretary, assembles once per year. It is of eminent importance that all those engaged in supervising PhD candidates and MSR research interns are closely involved in the activities of the Graduate School, and the Academic Advisory Council plays a key role in advising the Faculty Board en Academic Director on the general direction of the Graduate School.
The Graduate Student Council
The Graduate Student Council, composed of all MSR students and PhD candidates registered with the VU-GSSS, and convened by the Graduate Platform chair, assembles at least twice per year to discuss overall performance and direction of the Graduate School, and to advise the Graduate School on any issue they find relevant.
The Graduate Platform
The Graduate Platform is an informal, self-organizing podium for discussion and representation of all graduate students. This platform liaises between the Faculty’s graduate students and formal organizations such as ProVU, iProVU and CPO (ContactPersonen Overleg). In addition, this platform is a social and educational podium on which graduate students of all departments can exchange experiences, discuss their work, engage in methodological and/or theoretical discussion across disciplinary borders and learn useful skills. With this aim short workshops and monthly brown bag lunch meetings are organized. The Graduate Platform organizes the yearly two-day Graduate Conference. The main aim of the conference is to give MSR students and PhD candidates an opportunity to present their work to each other and to get acquainted with the research done in other departments.
Organization chart
