Through our research, we aim to deepen the understanding of family functioning, education, and care services, and to develop evidence-based interventions and prevention strategies that optimally support the development of children, youth, and (young) adults.
How do children develop? How do people learn, and how can education be improved?
At the Department of Educational and Family Studies, we explore these questions through the lenses of pedagogy, psychology, neuroscience, and other social sciences. Our research draws on a wide range of methods, including experiments, longitudinal survey studies, observations, interviews, and normative-ethical reflection.
The department consists of two research groups: Clinical Child and Family Studies and Educational Sciences.
Both research groups are affiliated with the research institute LEARN!, the programs Learning Sciences and Child Rearing, and the Amsterdam Public Health research institute.
Clinical Child and Family Studies
The research group Clinical Child and Family Studies focuses on advancing knowledge about family functioning and support services. We design and evaluate evidence-based interventions and preventive approaches that aim to foster the healthy development of children, adolescents, and (young) adults with disabilities.
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Educational Sciences
What opportunities and barriers do children and young people face in education? How can we support parents, teachers, school leaders, and policymakers in ensuring equitable learning opportunities for all students? And how can we create more inclusive learning environments and educational systems? These are the questions addressed by the Educational Sciences research group.