The role of the UvA and its predecessor, the Athenaeum Illustre, in colonial history is still insufficiently known. Therefore, in 2024, the Executive Board commissioned the Netherlands Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies (NIOD) to conduct a preliminary study into the UvA’s colonial past and connections to slavery since its founding in 1632. The goal was to formulate a clear brief for follow-up research.

This preliminary study has now been completed and outlines the path for historical follow-up research. The focus is on the university's functioning as an institution of higher education within the broader colonial context.

Six lines for further research

The report outlines six areas for further research:

1. Financial ties: It is difficult to determine whether the funds allocated to the Athenaeum and later the UvA by Amsterdam city council had colonial origins. Therefore, the report recommends investigating other financial streams as well, such as professors' additional incomes, the establishment of endowed chairs, and ties with companies active in the colonies.
2. Institutional ties - curriculum, chairs and faculties: From 1877 onward, the UvA had the explicit ambition to incorporate the colonies into its curriculum. Consequently, several faculties began engaging in colonial scholarship. Further research can reveal the extent of this involvement and its implications for the UvA's position compared to other Dutch universities.
3. Special collections: The UvA holds several collections of colonial heritage, including those of the Allard Pierson Museum, Museum Vrolik and the Zoological Museum. The report recommends that the UvA focuses its research on the colonial significance of these collections for education at the Athenaeum and the UvA, and how this heritage contributed to academic knowledge formation.
4. Campus buildings: Many UvA buildings initially had ties to colonial activities, but as far as we know, none of the former owners with colonial connections bequeathed their buildings to the university. It was often the municipality that allocated buildings to the university. Therefore, further research is recommended to focus on how the use or decoration of buildings by the Atheneum and the UvA was connected to the colonies.
5. The community: The report also recommends examining how the ties to colonialism and slavery were reflected in the academic community. Not only in the number of students and staff from the colonies, but also in how the academic community dealt with slavery and colonialism and their legacy, for example, in dissertations and student journals.
6. Self-image: The final recommendation is to examine how the Athenaeum and the UvA have used their colonial connections to strengthen their public profile and thereby distinguish themselves from their competitors. It is also emphasised that critical and anti-colonial reactions within the UvA community and in the colonies be considered.

According to the report, this focus will enable the UvA to systematically and thoroughly map colonial connections and compare them with other Dutch universities, while simultaneously recognising their breadth and diversity.

Continuation of the research

The second step consists of a research programme and a series of meetings to share and gather feedback on the insights gained with the UvA community. A core group, yet to be appointed, will further develop this research. The members of this core group will be recruited through an open call from the UvA.

The report containing the results of the preliminary research was officially presented to the Executive Board on 7 November. Students and staff were able to attend this presentation.

Download the report (PDF, 90 p.p.)