My name is Otto Spijkers, and I am an assistant professor of international and European law. Over the past few months, I have had the pleasure of serving as a temporary member of the FGGA Faculty Council. Together with my committed colleagues, I have engaged in open and constructive dialogue with the Faculty Board on topics that truly matter. We have addressed the expected impact on our Faculty of the Wet Internationalisering in Balans and the budget cuts in higher education. We also tackled the delicate balance between responsibility for ensuring safety on campus and respecting the right to protest and academic freedom — which, in my view, is absolutely essential. Especially in times of uncertainty, it is crucial that we continue to stand up for the core values of our academic community. A university can only thrive when there is space for critical thinking, open debate, and a diversity of perspectives. It is also important—especially in these turbulent times—that the university continues to prioritise the well-being of students and staff, fosters an optimistic attitude and a positive atmosphere on campus, and ensures that everyone feels a sense of belonging and community. That is why I am once again running for a seat on the Faculty Council. With your support, I hope to continue advocating for these important issues and to help build a strong, inclusive, and forward-looking faculty.

I am Assistant Professor at ISGA for now 6 years. Over the years, I have developed a good understanding of our faculty and the various challenges it faces. I have worked with colleagues from Public Administration, LUC, support staff and also with our junior colleagues in my role as PhD coordinator. These experiences have given me insight into the common (but also diverse) challenges we face that need attention from the faculty.

I am running for the Faculty Council to ensure that the voices and interests of our diverse community are heard, and contribute to finding solutions. Although FGGA has developed and progressed a lot, there are still some improvements necessary.

I want to advocate for the well-being of all staff and fostering a more supportive, inclusive, and forward-looking faculty. Following the discussions held last year, we need to pursue the efforts to improve gender equality, social safety, and the inclusion of all our diverse staff. I want to ensure that key issues at the institutes level (such as social safety, workload, promotion, office space amongst others) receive the faculty’s attention and that we work together to find solutions. I am always eager to listen to colleagues and seek solutions, and will be happy to engage with you if elected.

If I am re-elected as a member of the Faculty Council, there are several things I would like to pursue. First, I want to continue organising and conveying ideas and problems that come from the staff of ISGA, Public Administration, and LUC. I listen to what is happening in our working lives, at all levels, in order to scrutinise FGGA progress and raise questions where needed. In recent years, I have dealt with issues such as leaks, office space, the lactation room, but also smaller things like the automatic sun blinds in Wijnhaven. Importantly, as elected members I represent not just the acadaemics, but all staff within the faculty.

A lot has been happening in the faculty in recent years. I will continue to critically question the FGGA security policy and the attitude toward demonstrators. Additionally, I will continue to view the topics that come up in the Council through the lens of diversity and inclusion (especially now!). I support transparent promotion practices and encouraging a better gender balance in higher positions. Finally, I like to keep an eye on the big and the small things that can make the life of full-time working mothers and parents a little easier. I am always open to questions and tips, and I hope for your vote.

I have served in the Faculty Council for the past two years focusing on issues such as staff and student workload, the new Spui building, and the balance between security issues and academic freedom. As an international staff member based at LUC, I want to continue making FGGA a place where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. If elected as a member of the Faculty Council, I will build on the progress made thus far to make the Faculty Council more visible to the community, especially as we face challenging times ahead related to internationalisation in balance, budget cuts, and the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in education. I will focus on community wellbeing, diversity of worldviews, and constructive responses to societal developments in ways that preserve our academic freedom, critical capacities, and joy in our work.

My priorities include the following: 1) Fostering decisions that address the workload and wellbeing of staff and students. 2) Holding the Faculty Board to account on issues related to diversity of identities and knowledges. Having contributed to such conversations as lead organiser of the Leiden-wide Decolonising Collective, I will ensure these issues are reflected in policies related to hiring of staff, socio-economic matters that impact marginalised students and junior staff, and educational content. 3) Raising important questions about internationalisation in balance and the impending government cuts that impact the highly cherished international character of our FGGA community.

I am running for re-election to the faculty council because I want to continue my commitment to all FGGA staff members. In addition to my fourteen years of experience as coordinator of admissions to LUC’s programme, I have also been Regiehouder ATI, the coordinator of the application and admissions process for all FGGA programmes since September. In this role I work with teams involved in admissions to bachelor’s to master’s programmes. I am committed to bringing this broad perspective to council meetings to promote collaboration across all sections.

The announced budget cuts and the new internationalisation law bring uncertainties and challenges. In these times, it is more important than ever that the interests of all colleagues are well represented in the faculty council and that everyone’s voice is heard. It is essential that we as a council remain attentive to the increasing workload and the creation of a safe working environment in which everyone feels heard and valued. With more than ten years of experience as an emergency response officer (BHV) and team leader, I know that a safe work environment is fundamental for the wellbeing of all staff.

I want to continue working for the interests of all colleagues, strengthening collaboration, reducing workload, ensuring a safe working environment and promoting transparent communication, so that everyone’s voice is heard especially in these challenging times. I hope to have the opportunity to represent you once again on the faculty council.

Hi everyone!

I'm Niklas, a third-year Security Studies student, soon starting my Master’s in Crisis and Security Management. I'm running to represent you for a third term on the Faculty Council.

Over the past two years, I’ve worked hard to address student concerns and find real solutions- whether by improving the first-year mentor program or strengthening communication between students and faculty. Along the way, I’ve built strong relationships that help get things done more effectively.

If re-elected, I want to focus on making the Faculty Council more visible and accessible. Many students still don’t know how or where to raise their concerns. I want to change that by creating a more open and approachable space for dialogue.

Another priority of mine is campus safety. Our university should be a place where every student feels secure and respected. Academic debate is vital, but it must happen within a space that values inclusion and holds those who create hostility accountable. Diversity and openness are at the heart of our university, and I will continue to defend them.

Vote for experience. Vote for realistic change. Vote Niklas 2025!

Open Cards, Open Campus

I stand for a university where participation is not just a formality, but a reality. A place where open discussion, transparency, and good governance are central. A place where the university plays with open cards. Because the university is for and by students.

Unfortunately, it increasingly feels like our voice matters less and less. As a first-year Public Administration student, I see this firsthand—and I want to change that.

Diversity and inclusion are important, but that should not mean that the position of Dutch students fades into the background. I want an open campus, a place where everyone feels at home and welcome, without barriers. That’s why I advocate for free entry and exit, including through the bike parking, and no unnecessary LU-card checks.

We need strong leadership from the faculty that takes students seriously. I actively engage in conversations, ask critical questions, and keep communicating with an open mind: open cards, open campus.

Your voice matters. Make it heard. Vote Luuk van Dongen!

An open university, where you don’t have to fear undercover security. Where you won’t miss your lectures just because you forgot your LU-card. A university that doesn’t collaborate with companies and institutions that disregard international law. This is the university I want to help create in the upcoming academic year as a member of the FGGA faculty council.

I advocate for abolishing LU-card checks at the entrances of university buildings, providing more space for student organisations to host activities such as panel discussions at the university and ensuring no unreasonable conditions are attached to these events. I also aim to make the university more financially accessible, with a focus on educational materials and the cafeteria.

Hey folks!

My name is Sascha Zell, and I’m currently in my third year of the BSc Security Studies program. Soon, I’ll be starting my MSc in Crisis and Security Management, specializing in Intelligence and National Security. I’m running to be your representative on the FGGA Faculty Council, and I’d love to earn your vote.

I’m running because I believe our Faculty Council should be transparent, accountable, and truly connected to the student body. Too often, students feel disconnected from the decisions being made about their education and experience. I want to change that. If I’m elected, I’ll make it a priority to share what’s happening inside the Council - what’s being discussed, what’s being decided, and how it affects you. But more importantly, I want to make sure your voice is heard. I’ll open my inbox to every student at FGGA, so whether you have a concern, a question, or an idea for improving our Faculty, you’ll know exactly where to go. You shouldn’t need to know someone on the inside to have your opinion count - I’ll make sure it does, whether you voted for me or not.
I also stand firmly for diversity, freedom of expression, and the safety and well-being of all students on campus. These aren’t just buzzwords to me, they’re values I’ve held throughout my time at FGGA and will continue to defend on the Council.

I’m ready to listen, to speak up, and to help create a Faculty that represents all of us. Thank you for considering me as your candidate, and I hope to have your support in this election!

All the best,

Sascha Zell

My name is Youri, I am 21 years old and I am a first-year Public Administration student. Before this, I studied Commercial Economics at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, where I am now close to graduating.

Democratic values are increasingly under pressure, and the cuts to education are a symptom of this trend. To counter this, everything must be done to prevent these budget cuts from undermining the accessibility of academic education.

Education should contribute to a society in which everyone has the opportunity to advance. This not only makes society fairer, but also strengthens its resilience against populism and authoritarian movements.

I want to contribute to this by:

• Advocating for the use of affordable or free study materials.
• Providing additional support for first-generation students.
• Calling for lecture recordings to be made available online immediately

I’m Kevin, a 20 year old first-year student at LUC, majoring in Global Health, Innovation and Society.

A university that is open and accessible to everyone, as a space of learning. That is the kind of university I want to study in. This is why I am advocating for sufficient support structures for our students, better accommodations for those who have to work in order to support their studies and lower barriers for those studying with impairments. In a time of budget cuts and rising costs of living, I want a university that puts its students at the center, preserving our international environment.

Lastly, I want a university that is critical of itself and its place in society. One that listens to its students and uses its voice and collective power to stand up for its values.