Marjan Olfers appointed Professor of Integrity and Governance
The Executive Board has appointed Prof. Marjan Olfers, LL.M., as Professor of Integrity and Governance at the University of Humanistic Studies. The chair focuses on integrity as an essential component of good governance and strong organisations. It is not only rules that are important in this regard, but also the values, culture and context in which organisations operate. By combining insights from organisational studies, governance and ethics, the chair contributes to solutions for current issues in both academia and practice.
The appointment took effect on 1 September. Marjan Olfers will work alongside researchers and professionals in the Governance and Integrity section on current social issues relating to good governance, oversight, ethical leadership and organisational culture. She will also contribute to executive education and the further development of knowledge on integrity and governance at the UvH.
Marjan Olfers on her appointment: “Rules and systems do absolutely nothing on their own. It always comes down to people who act – or, conversely, fail to act. Trust in organisations and institutions is not a right; it must be earned. Integrity issues quickly become personal, and before you know it, integrity has a first name and a surname. But what does such an issue say about the organisation, the board, the culture and the system within which that behaviour takes place? That’s where it gets interesting for me. There is still a great deal to investigate and to teach in this area. I look forward to putting my energy into this, together with my colleagues.”
Rector Joke van Saane: “Marjan Olfers brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the fields of governance, integrity, oversight and social safety. The chair will contribute to our understanding of how organisations can operate with integrity and accountability – a topic that is more relevant to society than ever before. We look forward to working with her.”
About Marjan Olfers
Prof. Marjan Olfers, LL.M., is an expert in the fields of governance, integrity, supervision and social safety. She combines academic research with extensive experience in administrative and legal practice.
Marjan Olfers is Professor of Sport and Law at VU University Amsterdam and Director of the research and consultancy firm Verinorm. In her research and consultancy work, she focuses on how organisations can be structured and managed responsibly, with a particular emphasis on governance, integrity, organisational culture and social safety.