Life sciences education research
Education, Learning, Professional development
Research aim
We aim to develop adaptive, creative, responsible future health professionals by investigating learning in education and at workplaces. This leads to evidence-informed education and innovations that foster the health domain.
About us
Our research focuses on understanding how health- and biomedical professionals of the future (e.g. students) develop and how they can be optimally supported in their ongoing development within their learning and work environments. Based on these insights we can: 1) Stimulate learning processes of future professionals who are adaptive to new situations and engage in interdisciplinary, reflective, responsible and investigative ways of learning; 2) Develop training and educational innovations in an evidence-informed way.
Key areas of research relate to UMCU’s educational strategy and include: Adaptive expertise; Interdisciplinary and interprofessional learning; Diversity & Inclusion; Identity development; Learning at the workplace and Feedback; Translational medicine; Open science and education; Patient participation; Resilience and well-being.
Various research methodologies are employed, tailored to specific questions and contexts, including design-based research, experiments, literature reviews, and evaluations.
Collaboration is a cornerstone of the program, with strong partnerships established across regional, national, and international networks, including the EWUU alliance and public-private partnerships. Our PhD-students participate in the Life Sciences Education Research Program of the GSLS UU.
Overall, we offer insights and evidence for the development of future health and biomedical professionals and for educational innovations that stimulate this development.