I’m a biologist, hold a PhD in genetics education, and have completed a postdoctoral research project on moral reasoning in genomics-related dilemmas in science education.

My research interests lie in fostering responsible and active citizenship in science education and the  development of metacognitive skills (e.g. systems thinking) as part of scientific literacy. I focus on informed decision-making and action-taking on socio-scientific issues (SSIs) in the context of genomics, sustainability and climate change. Through design-based research and Lesson Study projects, using mixed methods, I develop strategies to empower science teachers (educators) and secondary school students.

European projects:

• Currently, work package leader in the Horizon Europe IMP>ACT project (2024-2028) focusing on the development of an assessment framework for Sustainability and Climate Change Education. 

• Led the Horizon2020 COSMOS-project on Open Schooling in Science Education (2022-2025). 

• National representative of the Netherlands & steering group member of the COST-ENEC project - European Network for Environmental Citizenship (2017-2022).

• Led the EU-FP7 PARRISE-project (2014-2018), in which an innovative approach ‘SSIBL’ (Socio-Scientific Inquiry-Based Learning) for responsible citizenship education has been developed. 

• Partner representative in the SYNENERGENE project (2013-2017)  

Served as a member of the Academic Committee of ERIDOB (2014-2022) and a variety of educational- and advisory boards in the Biology department and Faculty of Science of Utrecht University.