Party of the Academic Staff
Stand Strong for a Fair and Future-Proof UM
The Party of the Academic Staff stands for a university where fairness, transparency, and long-term vision guide our future. We bring together academic voices from across faculties and career stages — uniting experience, fresh thinking, and actionable policies to make a real difference in the University Council. Especially in uncertain times, we advocate for leadership that puts people first and protects what truly matters. Here’s how we turn these values into action:
1. Standing Together Against Budget Cuts
At UM, we bring staff concerns to the Executive Board and demand clear, accountable, and future-oriented scenarios. United, our university can show resilience in light of the national budget cuts we oppose. If cuts are unavoidable, we will fight to ensure they are applied fairly — protecting jobs, working conditions, and the University’s core mission. No faculty or service centre should carry the burden alone.
2. Protecting UM, Not Just Integrating with the Hospital
Integration with MUMC+ may offer opportunities, but it must never come at the cost of our academic freedom, independence, or the integrity of our education and research. We are committed to transparent decision-making processes and to safeguarding all education and research — regardless of discipline or faculty. We continue to demand transparency, open dialogue, and full protection of the interests of all UM staff — across every faculty and service centre.
3. Striving Together – Fair Recognition and Growth for All
Let’s recognise all contributions — in teaching, research, leadership, teamwork, and societal engagement. We push for inclusive career opportunities and clear promotion paths for all staff, regardless of contract, age, or background. Everyone deserves the chance to grow and be valued.
4. Standing Up for International and Early-Career Staff
UM’s strength is its diversity. We stand firmly for our international and early-career colleagues — advocating inclusive support and representation, especially in an increasingly uncertain political climate. We are here to represent you and push for lasting change.
5. Shaping a Healthier, Smarter, Future-Ready Workplace
We support a healthy, safe, and balanced work environment — tackling workload, improving support, and reducing bureaucracy. Digital technologies and systems must empower us, not slow us down. As UM faces the growing impact of Big Tech, AI, and sustainability challenges, we need strategies that help us succeed — now and in the future.
Let’s stand strong together and shape a fair, future-proof UM — for everyone. Vote for representation that works for you.
Mark Govers
Mark Govers is an associate professor at FHML, Department of HSR, part of CAPHRI. With extensive experience in the University Council, he knows how crucial it is for staff voices to be heard. Drawing from his background in business and information management, Mark is dedicated to reducing work pressure, cutting unnecessary bureaucracy, and creating digital systems that empower — not obstruct — academic staff.
Mark Your Voice – For a University that Works for You!
Melissa Siegel
Melissa Siegel is a Professor of Migration Studies at SBE/UNU-MERIT.
Raymond Luja
Raymond Luja is Professor of Comparative Tax Law and lectures at Law and SBE. He is chairing the Department of Tax Law as well as the ad hoc University Council committee dealing with the UM/MUMC+ integration.
"Staff, students, faculties and management culture make our University to what it is: one academic community in all its diversity."
Pietro Bonizzi
Pietro Bonizzi is an Associate Professor at the Department of Advanced Computing Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE). He is also Programme Director of the Bachelor's Computer Science and the Bachelor's Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at FSE. Previously, he served as member and chair of the FSE Faculty Council.
Emma de Brabander
Emma de Brabander is a PhD candidate at the research institute for mental health and neuroscience (MHeNs) at FHML. She is also the PhD representative for MHeNs at the FHML Faculty PhD Committtee (FPC), and of FHML at the Central PhD Candidate Platform (CPCP).
Arjan Blokland
Manuela Heins
Anna Sagana
Anna works as an Assistant Professor at FPN, Department of Clinical Psychological Science. With deep institutional knowledge and faculty council experience as both member and chair, she works toward a univeristy with fewer and smarter rules that facilitate creative ideas and innovation while maximizing efficiency.Believing in the Renaissance ideal of a scholar who transcends disciplinary boundaries, Anna views research as essential to education. Drawing inspiration from the polymath tradition of valuing wholeness in intellectual and personal development, she envisions a university that nurtures well-rounded thinkers and aims to stimulate healthy and safe workplaces with a meaningful focus on work-life balance.