Advisory committee presents criteria of sensitive partnerships

The Advisory Committee on Sensitive Collaborations (ACSC) presented its criteria on 18 November for assessing whether collaborations with universities or companies can be deemed sensitive. For example when a country or partnership is associated with human rights violations. During a meeting at the Erasmus Education Lab, staff and students were invited to discuss the methodology with the committee.

In response to campus demonstrations, the Executive Board established the committee. The ASCS’s core task is to advise on partnerships between Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) and institutional partners in Israel and Palestine, in light of the ongoing violence in the region. In the future, the committee may also review other controversial collaborations, such as potential ties with the fossil fuel industry.

Sensitive

The committee considers a partnership ‘sensitive’ if a country is subject to national or international restrictions, if the partnership can be linked to human rights violations, controversial ‘societal topics’, or if the university’s core values are jeopardised. This assessment may apply to countries, regions, industries, or communities.

Once sensitivity of a partnership is found, the committee evaluates EUR’s role in the identified issues and assesses potential risks for the university, such as reputational damage or legal challenges. They also explore possibilities of continuing the collaboration in an alternate form.

Investigating both Israel and Palestine

Those present at the session raised concerns about the committee’s approach of examining both Israel and Palestine, arguing that this creates a false balance. Committee chair Ruard Ganzevoort responded that the aim is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation in the region. He also emphasised that the methodology is a general framework for assessing sensitive partnerships and that specific research questions may vary depending on the case.

The committee published the full presentation and rationale here. It also issued a call to submit reliable information on sensitive partnerships to them via [email protected].

The ACGS has begun mapping existing and planned student exchange programmes, research collaborations, and business contracts with entities based in Israel and Palestine. Using this assessment framework, the committee will examine these partnerships in the coming period.