Building on our research and insights from ongoing discussions about university partnerships with the fossil fuel industry, we, alongside Guus Dix (University of Twente) and Gerrit Schaafsma (Leiden University), have developed a document (see also below) designed for university commissions tasked with evaluating potential collaborations with the fossil fuel sector. This document (first version: September 2024, latest version: April 2025) provides essential guidelines to help universities and researchers make informed decisions when considering new partnerships with the fossil fuel industry.
This document is also a valuable resource for university policymakers seeking to define their own criteria for collaboration. We have already shared it directly with relevant stakeholders in the Netherlands and are now excited to make it publicly available for anyone working on this topic in the Netherlands and internationally. We encourage you to share this resource with others, and we welcome any feedback or questions you may have.
Risk assessment for evaluating collaborations
In addition to the guidelines for evaluating fossil fuel partnerships, we have developed a risk assessment tool for evaluating individual collaborative activities with external partners—extending beyond the fossil fuel industry. This tool is intended as a starting point for university commissions and policymakers, helping them make informed decisions by thoroughly assessing the potential risks associated with specific collaboration activities.