Full professor

I am a full professor in Economics of Education at the department of MILE (Macro International and Labour Economics) of the Maastricht University School of Business and Economics (SBE). Next to research and teaching, I am involved in many activities, of which I want to highlight some here.

OnderwijsMonitor Limburg

I am Scientific Director of the Education Monitor Limburg (OML). Within this initiative, Maastricht University collaborates with primary and secondary schools to promote evidence-informed practices in education, similar to the approach used in an academic workplace. A key principle is that ‘evidence’ is not solely derived from research conducted at academic institutions, but is instead the result of a combination of research-based knowledge, insights and experiences from educational practice, and the local context. These elements are crucial for understanding the relationships between actions and the consequences of educational adjustments.

Discussions with school leaders and teachers revealed a lack of systematic data on pupils’ backgrounds and their development in non-cognitive skills. To address this, we have started collecting such data through a regional monitor, in which the majority of primary and secondary schools in Limburg participate. Schools receive digital feedback comparing their school with other Limburg schools. Additionally, workshops are organized to collectively interpret and explore the implications of the data. Furthermore, data from the OML are used within schools to evaluate projects or for other (doctoral) research conducted within the school setting.

PhD Supervision 

I also supervise several PhD students. I love to work with PhD students. They can have very innovative, fresh ideas, and it is rewarding to help them in their further development as researchers. I also work a lot with people who pursue a PhD next to their job. Many of them are involved in educational practice in their daily jobs. They bring in new perspectives, arising from their own practice. I learn a lot from that. They are often very motivated to find answers. It is challenging for them to work on their thesis next to their jobs, and it requires a different kind of supervision. Making clear agreements, setting realistic expectations and flexibility are key factors.

Committees

Within our university I participate in several committees or task forces. I think it is important to be involved in shaping the future of a department, faculty/school, or university. Among other things I was deputy head of our department, and in that role I learned a lot about strategic decision-making. It is not easy to make decisions from which all players benefit. A lot of different factors play a role, and many things are at stake. More than it seems on a first impression. I really enjoyed getting insights in these processes and thinking along in the next ‘best’ steps to take.

I was also chair of the newly launched tenure track committee of our School (faculty). In this committee we discuss the criteria for tenure tracks within business and economics and we advise the Dean on actual cases. This is also not an easy task, and criteria might seem clear-cut, but in practice more leniency is involved. In academia currently changes are taking place with more room for diversity in career paths. Not only one road to success. Such a transition is not taking place overnight and involves weighing pros and cons and taking careful steps. Again, I enjoy learning from others in decision-making and contributing actively to this transition in academia.

I am currently a member of the Education Council. Together with other education researchers and professionals, we examine key issues in education and provide advice to the government. Drawing on my background as an education economist and my experience working with schools, I can contribute my expertise. At the same time, I have the opportunity to learn from the other members of the council. I find it incredibly rewarding to be able to contribute to education policy in my own way.