If you are encountering any problem during your PhD trajectory, you should firstly talk to your supervisor, your peers, or another trusted staff member. Below you will find further points of contact for different issues, should speaking to your supervisor not be sufficient.

Mental problems

If you run into any mental issues, such as feelings of depression or being overwhelmed, there is help available for you. Outside of finding a solution with your supervisor, the following contact points are available.

The company doctor can be contacted if you feel that you are struggling with physical or psychological issues hampering your work. You can contact the HIMS Institute Manager to refer you. Contact details: Zorg van de Zaak: 088 – 0088 915 or onderwijs@zorgvandezaak.nl. Find more information on occupational health here.

PhD candidates can also use the services of the Student Psychologists Office, where PhD candidates can receive short-term help in case of psychological problems that affect your PhD research or your personal life. Contact details are 020 525 2599, or internal no. 2599, room no. REC - E10.04.

Confidential advisor of UvA

If you have experienced or are experiencing undesirable behaviour (such as sexual intimidation, aggressive or violent behaviour, bullying, and discrimination), you can contact one of the confidential advisers for undesirable behaviour. They can provide support and help look for a way to stop or de-escalate the undesirable situation. Where relevant, they will refer you to professional care and assistance. They can also help you submit a claim to the Complaints Committee.

The ombudsperson is an independent figure you can contact when you encounter structural problems and injustices within the UvA. You can do so confidentially and without formalities. If the Ombudsperson considers it necessary, they can mediate between parties and/or carry out an independent investigation.

If you are struggling with problems in your social environment (relating to your living and working situation, religion, or personal circumstances, for example) and this is affecting your work, or has already resulted in your not being able to carry out your work fully, you can turn to the occupational welfare service or an occupational health physician. This is confidential and free of charge.

Academic integrity

Besides physical safety, the institute aims to be a place where colleagues treat each other fairly and respectfully, and give due credit for achievements to those who truly made them. Scientific integrity is an important part of the education of scientists. HIMS has an open culture where it is common that any potential ethical issue is discussed as soon as it is encountered. The HIMS guidelines attempt to discuss a number of issues and suggest best practices and actions regarding reporting and storing results, fraud and plagiarism, conflicts of interest, and other ethical questions. The guidelines can be found in the HIMS Code of conduct.