Photo: Jeska Los.

Economics of Education

I am an education economist. This means that I analyse questions related to education from an economic perspective. Economists use theoretical models to simplify the world in order to understand mechanisms behind people’s behaviour and develop the right incentives. Moreover, they use robust measurement techniques and statistical models when analysing empirical data. I want to contribute to decision-making in education, to offer children the education that matches their needs and talents, but that also prepares them properly for the next phases in their lives. That can be another education trajectory or a job. Starting point in my research is that we can only improve education by good and structural collaboration between educational researchers from various disciplines, educational practitioners, and policymakers. By looking at educational questions from all these perspectives, we get a more complete picture of the exact questions and can develop proper solutions. This collaboration leads to educational research that can be used in educational practice and is scientifically validated. Only in this way we can improve education.

As a child I was already inquisitive and keen on solving puzzles.

My research

I am interested in the role and limitations of the use of tests in education. For example, what are the differences between ‘objective’ test scores and more subjective assessment by teachers? I am very curious to know more about other factors that play a role in the assessment of student development, such as expectations of teachers, students and parents, or social-emotional skills. How are such factors related to assessment, both in tests and in teacher judgments? Which social-emotional skills are important and how can we best assess these? What drives the difference between ‘good’ or ‘very good’ and do teachers mean similar things with these values? What do teachers need to objectify their subjective judgment and how can they get rid of unwanted biases therein? I am also interested in research on subgroups of students, such the identification and support for gifted students. On what signals should parents and teachers focus? What programs for gifted students are effective and how can they best be developed? Finally, I am interested in differences between groups of students in all these questions, such as differences between students from various socio-economic backgrounds or gender differences.

Sometimes I try some drawing as well.

Photography

When I am not at work, I regularly walk around with a camera. I love zooming in on details.  In nature, but also on the streets. I like to merge reality with my imagination. In doing so, color and sphere are important aspects for me.

On the pages of my website I not only show myself as an education economist, but I also use photo’s that I made, sometimes with a little story.  More photos can be found on my instagram page.