Global mapping case studies
Case 2: Utrecht University
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTED: Non-traditional blended career pathways
Launched in 2021, Utrecht University’s systemic changes to its reward systems are grounded in the Open Science agenda and the principles of teamwork, integrity, responsibility and societal engagement. These principles are applied to both individual academics and teams through the TRIPLE model , which was described by one interviewee as “a way of working, an attitude, not just an outcome”. Conceptualised around a lotus flower, the TRIPLE model is built on three core pillars:
• leadership: an expectation that academics will take on responsibility from early in their careers and help to build “an open, transparent, inspiring, inclusive and safe environment”;
• team spirit: contribution to collegiality, collaboration and trust, rooted in a belief that a diverse community only thrives if the strengths and expertise of all its members are combined;
• impact: impact forms the centre of the lotus, with the petals representing the three core domains of education, research and professional practice. The relative size (or emphasis) attached to each petal varies according to each academic’s area of specialisation.
In 2023, Utrecht University announced that all academic and support staff would be employed on a single career pathway, with career progression for all employees guided by the TRIPLE model.