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Channels to find support

The institute finds it important that people feel supported when experiencing any challenges or problems in the workplace. There are numerous support channels available, both within and outside the institute, through which you can seek help. Please do not hesitate to contact any of these, they are there to help and support you! Many of the support channels below ensure full confidentiality in discussing your matter.

  • Within the IoP
    • Your supervisor
      Your supervisor is also there to help you. They have once been a PhD candidate or postdoc themselves and they have experience with supervising and mentoring PhD candidates and postdocs.
    • Your colleagues
      Just having a coffee and a chat can help a million! We encourage people to talk with colleagues, and, similarly, to be open to supporting your colleagues.
    • Independent supervisor
      Every PhD candidate has an independent supervisor, don’t hesitate to contact this person. It is good practice to periodically talk with your independent supervisor without your main supervisor(s) present.
    • Institute manager
      You should feel free IoP’s institute manager Joost van Mameren about any challenges or problems you might face, also confidentially. He is keen on trying to help you solve them, either directly or by providing useful pointers.
    • Secretariat
      The secretariat is always there to help you, whether by solving your problems directly or by connecting you to the right people. Of course, you can also just come in for a quick friendly chat, or for getting some well-earned coffee, tea, or snacks!
    • IoP Diversity & Inclusion Council
      The Diversity & Inclusion Council of the institute consists of a broad representation of IoP members with affinity and commitment to matters related to equity, diversity and inclusion. You can reach out to the Council as a whole, or approach individual members.
    • IoP PhD/PD Council
      The PhD/PD Council aims to serve as an approachable group of people with whom you can discuss anything, also confidentially.
    • Dutch lessons
      The IoP organizes inhouse Dutch language lessons at multiple skill levels. These are not only useful to learn Dutch but can also be a good social activity. Contact the secretariat for more information.
  • Within the UvA
    • Student psychologists
      PhD students can have a chat with the student psychologists, free of charge! They also offer group sessions and multiple workshops, including a stress reducing workshop and a mindfulness workshop.
    • Company doctor and corporate social work (ARBO) 
      ARBO is the Occupational Health and Safety Service. Their services include a company doctor, but they are also available for any other health issues, including work conditions (they for example offer a work place check to fix your desk and chair for a better posture!), and mental health issues that affect your work. They also offer different workshops, for example about work pressure. These are also the people that can help you reduce your workload after incidents or when dealing with (severe) issues.
    • ProActief UvA
      ProActief offers individual guidance, workshops, training courses and made-to-measure solutions regarding all aspects of career guiding inside and outside the academic world.
    • Faculty of Science Career service
      For any questions and help regarding your further career, you can contact the Faculty of Science career service. They also periodically organize the IoP career activities.
    • Support for work pressure relief
      You can find information about (reducing) work pressure on this website, including tips for helping yourself, and trainings and workshops that are offered.
    • UvA website for Social Safety
      On this page you can find an overview of the different individuals and institutions you can turn to if you experience an unsafe situation or undesirable behavior.
    • Confidential Advisors
      The UvA has several confidential advisors, with whom you can talk about problems related to undesirable behavior.
    • Ombudsperson
      For all problems and complaints related to diversity and/or inclusion, you can contact the ombudsperson. For more information regarding social safety in general, see the above website.