Not one, but two changes of the guard within FSW
Two changes of leadership will take place within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FSW) on April first 2026. Shelley van der Veek will become the new Director of Education at the Institute of Education and Child Studies. Carlijn Bergwerff, who is stepping down as Director of Education at the institute, will go to the FSW Faculty Office. She will take on the role of Vice-Dean of Education.
Looking back
Before handing over the reins to Van der Veek, Bergwerff served as Director of Education at the Institute of Education and Child Studies for a year and a half.
She looks back on her time on the institute’s management team: 'What I enjoyed most about this position was that no day was the same and that it required such a wide range of skills,' she says.
'One moment you’re standing in the Stadsgehoorzaal welcoming hundreds of students, and the next you’re discussing with colleagues how to respond to a snowstorm or evaluating a plan to update a course.'
New role
Within the institute’s management, she also championed causes close to her heart, such as student well-being, educational quality, and recognition and rewards. She will, of course, continue to focus on these topics as Vice-Dean of Education.
Bergwerff: 'In my new role, I can engage with these themes at a more strategic level and create greater impact. I think it will be incredibly valuable to draw on my experience when contributing to issues that affect so many students and colleagues.'
Goals as Vice-Dean
What are her goals in this new position? 'In these turbulent times, the social sciences are of great importance to society. One key objective is to ensure that each year, students graduate who contribute to a resilient society through their knowledge and skills. This is something we can only achieve together.'
Another of Bergwerff's important goals is of a more practical nature: 'I also hope that we can soon take steps in our policies regarding AI in education. Both in AI literacy among students and lecturers, and in ensuring fair and careful assessment.'
Alongside her work as Vice-Dean, Bergwerff will remain active one day a week as an Associate Professor. Van der Veek will also continue her work as an Associate Professor in addition to her new role as Director of Education at the Institute of Education and Child Studies.
Farewell to the programme group
Van der Veek has been affiliated with the institute for 13,5 years and has held several administrative roles. 'Such as serving on the ethics committee, the programme committee, and chairing the Institute Council,' she says.
Since 2021, she has also chaired the research programme group Upbringing and Development. 'That has been my favourite administrative task so far. I’ve carried out that role with great love and pleasure. Unfortunately, in my new position as Director of Education, I can no longer chair the group.''
Looking ahead
Although she regrets having to step down from the group, she is excited about what lies ahead. 'I love everything related to education, so I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to devote myself fully to this area,' she explains.
Her primary goal is clear: 'To ensure that we offer a well-structured, coherent programme that properly prepares students for the professional field, and that every lecturer clearly understands what we are training students for. We are already well on track, but this requires continuous attention.'
Lecturer well-being
To achieve this, Van der Veek believes it is essential to guard the well-being of lecturers. 'We must continue to evaluate whether everything we ask of them fits within the hours allocated to their work. It is also important that the institute supports lecturers in their development in the area of teaching.'