Esther Versluis appointed dean of FASoS

The Executive Board of Maastricht University is pleased to announce the appointment of Esther Versluis as dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS), effective 1 September 2026. She will succeed Christine Neuhold, who has served as dean since 2020.

Esther Versluis comments on her appointment:
“I am honoured to assume the role of dean of FASoS. The faculty’s strong interdisciplinary profile and its commitment to excellence in research and education provide a solid foundation for the future. I look forward to working closely with colleagues, students, and partners to further develop these strengths.”

Christine Neuhold reflects on her tenure and extends her congratulations:
“It was a great honour to be the dean of FASoS. I would like to thank everyone that I worked with for their support. Together, we were able to achieve a lot. I am confident that Esther’s experience and leadership will ensure that the Faculty continues its course. I warmly congratulate her on her appointment.”

Pamela Habibović, chair of the UM Executive Board, adds:
“Esther Versluis brings extensive academic and managerial experience, as well as a longstanding commitment to FASoS and Maastricht University. We are confident that she will provide thoughtful and effective leadership in her new role.”

About Esther Versluis

Esther Versluis has a distinguished record in both academic leadership and research. She has held several key management positions within FASoS, including Programme Director of the Bachelor European Studies and the Master European Public Affairs. Since 2019, she has served as Head of the Department of Political Science.

Her research focuses on European governance, in particular the implementation and enforcement of European Union policies and the complexities of regulating uncertainty.

Esther Versluis has been affiliated with FASoS since its early years. She first joined the faculty as a student in the BA/MA Culture and Sciences in 1993. During her PhD trajectory at Utrecht University, she was already active as a lecturer at FASoS. Following the completion of her PhD, she continued her academic career at FASoS from 2003 onwards, and was appointed Professor in 2015.