Creating synergy between research and teaching in Dutch universities of applied sciences

In our current society, professionals need to be able to handle up-to-date knowledge and innovate their profession. The government has instructed Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences to educate these professionals and thus, create a link between research and teaching. However, coexistence between research and teaching is not enough – in order to educate the professionals as referred to by the government, research and teaching need to be intertwined.

In order to intertwine research and teaching, higher education organisations need to become hybrid organisations, which is a complex process. It requires a clear vision about the connection between research and teaching, an organisational structure that reinforces this connection and employees that actively pursue this link.

The central question in this study is:

How does the interaction between the organisational architecture and culture in the Universities of Applied Sciences contribute to the synergy between research and teaching?

The sub-questions in this research are:

What is the intended synergy between research and teaching of the Universities of Applied Sciences and to what extent has this been achieved?

How does the organisational architecture contribute to the intended synergy between research and teaching of the Universities of Applied Sciences?

How does the organisational culture contribute to the intended synergy between research and teaching of the Universities of Applied Sciences?

Research methods concern an analysis of policy documents of the Universities of Applied Sciences, interviews with employees, focus groups with students and a questionnaire with employees and students. The project covers a time period of 3 years, in which multiple Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences participate.

Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences wishing to participate may get in touch.