Complaint about UT investigation into fireworks disaster declared unfounded

11 / 02 / 2025 | Maaike Platvoet

The Executive Board has definitively declared a complaint about the report 'Learning from two fireworks disasters' by UT researcher René Torenvlied unfounded, following advice from the Scientific Integrity Committee. There is no doubt about the integrity of the scientists, is the conclusion.

A year ago, an official complaint was received by the UT about Torenvlied's research. According to objector Rudi Bakker, former director of SE Fireworks, the report 'would not meet the requirements that an independent scientific investigation must meet.' He blamed the UT, among other things, for a conflict of interest and the lack of 'hearing both sides'.

Confidentiality

The National Board for Research Integrity (LOWI) – which was asked by the Committee for Research Integrity (CWI) to advise on the complaint – states that the complainant has a personal interest in the outcome of the publication and that the discussion he wants to have is not about scientific integrity. In addition, Bakker would have immediately placed the complaint on his website, after which various media published about it. The LOWI ruled that he had violated the duty of confidentiality. 'An accusation of a scientific integrity violation that is made public at an early stage can cause a lot of damage to scientists and stand in the way of careful handling of the complaint.'

The Executive Board adopts the final decision to disregard the complaint due to a breach of confidentiality. The college also emphasises that it is 'convinced of the integrity of the researchers and the investigation'.

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