proeflezingen

Proeflezingen, in Dutch-speaking higher education, are public lectures given by a candidate as part of an appointment or promotion procedure. They are most common in the Netherlands and Flanders and are used to assess a prospective academic for positions such as professor, lecturer, or other senior teaching posts. The term literally means “trial lectures.”

During a proeflezing, the candidate delivers a prepared talk on a topic within their field, often highlighting recent research, theoretical framing, and methodological approach. The lecture is typically timed and followed by a question-and-answer session with a committee of senior academics, and sometimes with input from the broader audience. The event is intended to demonstrate subject mastery, ability to communicate clearly, and aptitude for teaching and public engagement.

Proeflezingen function as one element in a broader assessment, which may also include written work, research output, teaching evaluations, interviews, and references. A successful proeflezing can contribute to a favorable decision regarding appointment or promotion, while an unsatisfactory presentation may hinder the candidate’s prospects. Procedures and criteria vary by institution and discipline, and the specific format—public versus internal, topic selection, and evaluation standards—can differ accordingly.

Historically, the practice reflects the European university’s emphasis on public demonstration of scholarly competence. Today, some faculties retain the tradition while others rely on different assessment formats; in certain contexts, the term remains associated with senior appointments, whereas earlier career steps may use seminars or colloquia instead.