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Please continue reading to find out about the latest news from our Institute.
Highlights:
- Melanie Ehren appointed to Ofsted’s external reference group on Insights and Evidence (Education)
- Anouk Zuurmond delivered a keynote during the Onderwijs Research Dagen at Tilburg University
- Carlo Schuengel received funding from Open Competitie L (SSH)
- VU Amsterdam Summer School
...and more!
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The group was initiated by the Chief Inspector of Education, Sir Martyn Oliver as part of the response to The Big Listen consultation on Ofsted’s work. The group will advise Ofsted on a range of strategic priorities. The appointment will initially be until April 2026 with the possibility of of reappointment for a further period of two years. Professor Ehren welcomes the opportunity to continue her work with Ofsted and build on recent commissioned work to support the organisation in its evaluation of the Education Inspection Framework and work on trust and legitimacy in, and of school inspections.
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The keynote focused on the issue of citizenship education and the legal framework that obliges schools to actively promote citizenship and focus on instilling respect for and knowledge of democratic values. Zuurmond discussed the tension between promoting values on the one hand and fostering student autonomy on the other, the notion of indoctrination, and which values might be perceived as important for citizenship.
NEWS FROM THE CHILD REARING PROGRAM:
Funding from Open Competitie L (SSH)
Carlo Schuengel was awarded with funding for a new project by the NWO Open Competition L. NWO Social Sciences and Humanities wants to offer researchers the opportunity to carry out research into a subject of their own choosing without any thematic constraints. The funding instrument aims to serve a broader group of researchers in different stages of their academic careers.
The development of infant-caregiver attachment: In vivo, in silico, in theory
Carlo Schuengel and Pasco Fearon (University of Cambridge)
In their first year of life, babies develop trust in their caregivers. This trust enables them to explore their environment and learn. However, caregivers exhibit different levels of sensitive responsiveness, leading to various types of attachment relationships. The exact mechanisms and timing of these differences remain unknown. To measure attachment development, research conducted in the everyday home environment is essential. The researchers employ novel techniques for objective and long-term measurement. Based on this, they construct a testable model that interactively illuminates attachment development and explains variations in attachment relationships
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VU Amsterdam Summer School
During the VU Amsterdam Summer School, Stefania Vacaru and Paula Sterkenburg (FGB Developmental Pedagogy) offered a two-week English-language course entitled: The Attachment Nest: Interdisciplinary Understanding of Attachment and Human Development Across the Spectrum of (A)Typical Functioning. Students from the USA, Asia and Europe attended the very successful summer school.
One of the students, Donna Wattimera, osted on Linkedin: "This course provided a deep dive into Bowlby’s Attachment Theory, focusing on its development, practical applications, and broader implications in various contexts. Excursions to Ons Tweede Thuis and Bartimeus offered me a closer look at healthcare organizations dedicated to supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities. These experiences not only expanded my academic knowledge but also gave me diverse perspectives from peers worldwide, enriching our discussions and creating a dynamic learning environment. I'm deeply grateful to the professors, guest lecturers, and classmates who made this experience so meaningful and transformative."
The Summer school was given with partners of the collaborative center 'Affect-us' and many leading professors in the field of attachment as well as PhD students or postdocs from all over the world (as far as South Africa).
