Our Humanities: a story with impact
Dean Henk te Velde on the direction and future of the faculty: Just under a year ago, it became clear that the Faculty would not need to undergo a formal reorganisation. That gave us the time to prepare for the future. We are able not only to defend our strengths, but also to reflect on our identity and ambitions.
The Humanities are under pressure, in the Netherlands and further afield. We, too, still face a considerable challenge, but our faculty is relatively well positioned. Even with a decline in student numbers, our student body remains large and our expertise remains robust. We can draw confidence from that, and it is something we should be more aware of. Leiden’s Humanities are distinctive and unique. Where else can one find such a breadth of expertise—across so many regions, languages and cultures, and spanning such a long period—as here? In the Netherlands this is unparalleled, and even within Europe it is exceptional.
With that awareness in mind, the Faculty Board, together with the institutes, has articulated the Faculty’s identity in a ‘strategic narrative’. We reached agreement on the core of that identity, and on its strength, remarkably quickly. In a world marked by geopolitical tensions, we possess expertise in many of the regions where those tensions play out, and we understand them from within. We can make it clear to politicians, the business community, and society at large that deep historical insight into languages, cultures and regions is not a luxury, but is essential for understanding the world and engaging with it meaningfully.
Another distinctive strength is the centuries-old research infrastructure surrounding our Faculty—from the unique University Library to museums, independent research institutes, foundations and associations. There is so much that it is difficult to gain a complete overview. For those who work with them daily, these institutions speak for themselves; yet even for me as Dean, much was new and unfamiliar, despite having worked here for more than twenty years. I have learned a great deal—one of the most rewarding aspects of this role.
Because the Humanities are sometimes subject to critical scrutiny and financial pressure, we are used to defending ourselves and may be inclined towards a degree of pessimism. There may be reason for that, but there is just as much reason for optimism. What has been built here is solid. It is also dynamic and energetic. The long-established infrastructure provides the foundation for innovative research and teaching across the Faculty. The most recent research assessment recognised the high quality across the board and praised our ability to maintain strong links between teaching and research. The Hague, too, embodies innovation for our Faculty, particularly through the major International Studies programme based there.
Our greatest asset, in my view, is undoubtedly our staff, who—each from their own perspective and ambition—contribute to the larger whole that is the Faculty. Of course we hold different views and do not always agree, but the mix is rich and has become even more meaningful to me over the past year. High-quality research, excellent teaching and strong support are each essential in their own right, precisely because they reinforce and inspire one another. I have great confidence in all that we do.
The identity of our Faculty is highly recognisable—and we can present a compelling narrative about it. Ours is a place where tradition and future come together. That identity is also broad. There is space for all our institutes and programmes, for a wide range of disciplines, approaches, periods and regions. And yet, there is coherence. The strategic narrative is intended to communicate that to the outside world. It is worthwhile, from time to time, to pause and reflect within the Faculty, so that we can combine our strengths and continue to innovate with renewed energy.