About the RSPH

TheĀ Research School Political History is a research network of political historians in the Netherlands and Flanders, aimed at promoting the quality of research and (inter)national cooperation. Besides that, the Research School provides high quality training for PhD students and Research Masters in political history.
De RSPH (founded June 27, 2011) is successor to the networks Ponteg and Netwerk Politieke Geschiedenis (Network Political History 2006-2011). The RSPH was awarded a start-up grant in 2011 to develop the school over the upcoming five years into an authoritative consortium that covers the whole field of political history. This includes political history of early-modern, modern en contemporary history, general history, national or Dutch history, European studies, history of international relations and organizations, (post) colonial history and military history.
Founding universities of the RSPH are the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, Leiden University, Radboud University of Nijmegen, University of Groningen, University of Amsterdam, Utrecht University, VU University Amsterdam.

TheĀ  institution in charge of the Research School is the Huygens Institute for the History of the Netherlands, an institute of the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences. (www.huygens.knaw.nl).

The Research School Political History respects your privacy. We work according to the privacy policy of the KNAW: https://www.knaw.nl/nl/de-knaw/privacyverklaring-knaw. For questions and complaints contact privacy@bb.huc.knaw.nl.

Confidential advisors

The Research School Political History (RSPH) is committed to providing an intellectually stimulating and enriching environment, in which all its students, PhD candidates, staff and visitors feel comfortable and respected. We do not tolerate any form of inappropriate behaviour, such as sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying or other forms of harassment. Since the RSPH is a national umbrella organization with students, PhD candidates and teaching staff from different universities, it does not have its own confidential advisor. If you experience any form of inappropriate behaviour during a course or event organized by the RSPH, or if you are in doubt, please discuss this with a confidential advisor at your home institution (see list below). If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our managing director Margit van der Steen (bureau@onderzoekschoolpolitiekegeschiedenis.nl).

More information can be found through the links below.

University of Amsterdam

University of Groningen

Leiden University

Maastricht University

Radboud University

Open University

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Utrecht University


Annual Report

Download our latest Jaarverslag 2022 OPG for more information. Visit ‘Documents’ for our previous annual reports.