The Strategy Evaluation Protocol (SEP 2021-2027) was drawn up by NWO, KNAW and Universities of the Netherlands and aims to evaluate academic research based on an institute’s own goals and mission. An external, international committee led by chairman prof. René Medema visited the Princess Máxima Center in November 2021. Over the course of two days, they spoke with 54 people working in and around the research at the Máxima Center. The committee formulated their findings and recommendations in a report.
Mission-driven
The committee praises the Máxima Center for the quality of its research and the concept of a Máxima Comprehensive Childhood Cancer Center ('M4C') through which structural collaboration between care and research is enshrined. The collaborative spirit and especially the mission-driven culture of the employees were also commended. The committee made six recommendations in the areas of focused growth, data integration, parent participation, HR and career support, diversity and inclusion and room for constructive criticism.
Action plan
‘The SEP 2021 evaluation has confirmed once again for me, and now independently, that the Máxima is the best environment for me to do scientific research,’ says dr. Leendert Looijenga, ad interim Managing Director Research and Group Leader.
The SEP report including the recommendations were discussed extensively at the Máxima. A first reaction has been set out in a so-called position document. In the coming months, this will be converted into an action plan to put the recommendations into practice.