The position paper on ‘Ius Promovendi’ addresses the current restrictions in the Netherlands on the right to promote PhD candidates, limited mainly to Full Professors and, in some cases, Associate Professors. The paper presents findings from a survey of Assistant Professors, revealing adverse effects on their careers, including international disadvantage, power imbalances, and underappreciation. It argues that the existing system fails to recognize the workload of Assistant Professors and proposes reforms to enhance their role, expertise acknowledgment, and mental well-being. The paper suggests a team-based approach to supervision, redefining the roles of Promotor and Co-Promotor, and advocating for transparency and uniformity in national guidelines for ‘Ius Promovendi.’ Overall, the recommendations aim to address challenges, ensure quality, and align with international standards for promoting PhD candidates.
Find the entire paper here.