Lisette Hornstra works as an associate professor at the education department of Utrecht University. Her research focuses primarily on the question how teachers can foster motivation, well-being, and academic achievement of students with different backgrounds and ability levels. Her research interests include

• equal opportunities in education
• students' motivation for school
• social and ethnic diversity in schools
• teaching high-ability students.

Her research is characterized by the integration of fundamental and applied research. She received several NWO-funded research grants, including a VIDI grant for the project Mind the Gap.

She also teaches and coordinates courses in the bachelor and master program of educational sciences.