Our (statutory and societal) task is not fulfilled if we do not ensure that the knowledge we aim to increase lands with institutions and individuals who can work with and apply this new knowledge.

Within the Amsterdam Law School, many initiatives in this area have already been developed within and outside the Law Hub. Because impact is still fragmented, we are developing a faculty strategy aimed at strengthening impact, with corresponding institutional anchoring.

With a view to developing this strategy, anchoring it, and strengthening the connection between the Law Hub, scientists at the Amsterdam Law School, and staff supporting researchers, a faculty Impact Committee was established in 2022.

The Law Hub coordinates the Impact Committee and prepares the agenda. This advisory body consists of approximately 8 members who are involved in the strategic formation and execution of 'Impact' at the faculty for two years. The Impact Committee will meet four times a year to provide input on the faculty strategy regarding (research) impact. The Faculty Board is directly connected to the Impact Committee through the membership of the dean.

Goals

The goals of the Impact Committee are:

• Developing and adjusting faculty policy regarding impact and valorization.
• Improving the (structural) support for researchers at the faculty in generating impact.
• Developing a (working) definition and indicators of societal impact at the faculty.
• Agenda-setting with the Faculty Board based on points of attention that come to the Committee's attention from colleagues in the field of impact and valorization.
• Making the connection between agenda items of the University Valorization Committee and faculty interests.

Activities

The Impact Committee meets four times a year. During meetings, 'action points' can be formulated, which are mostly followed up and implemented by the Law Hub. Currently, the Impact Committee is working on two recurring themes:

• Mapping and 'measuring' impact activities at our faculty through a database of indicators.
• Supporting researchers in making an impact through, among other things, an Impact Fund.

Impact numbers

The Impact Committee currently has the following 10 members:

• André Nollkaemper
• Joao Quintas 
• Laura Burgers 
• Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh 
• Klaas Eller 
• Rumyana van Ark 
• Saskia Woutersen 
• Olga Gritsai 
• Lou Errens
• Nathalie Dijkman / Frances Singleton

Thanks to the Impact Committee, several results have already been achieved, such as a research report on the definition and scope of societal (research) impact at the faculty, an Impact Fund, a database of impact indicators, and an exchange with Utrecht University on recognizing and valuing impact activities.