Anke de Boer appointed as professor by special appointment of specialised and inclusive education

As of November 1, 2024, behavioural scientist Anke de Boer has been appointed as professor by special appointment of specialised and inclusive education at the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences of the University of Groningen. The chair focuses on improving the educational and learning environment for students with specific educational needs and is embedded within RENN4, an organization for specialized education.

Students in specialised education often require additional support in learning and behaviour. Although the goal is for these students to also have a place within regular education, this remains a challenge in practice. “National figures and data from our own organization show that we are not yet succeeding in this,” says De Boer. “Schools often lack the proper tools to adequately support these students and the current system is not designed for it.”

Inclusive education

Through her research, De Boer aims to determine what is needed to truly realize inclusive education. “Inclusive education requires collaboration. It is important to create an inclusive learning environment in such a way that all students, regardless of their educational needs, can fully participate,” she emphasizes.

Evidence-informed practice

In her new role as professor by special appointment, De Boer wants to contribute to evidence-informed practice and develop the foundations for realizing inclusive education. “Before we can implement interventions, we need to better understand what works for whom. Many good things are happening in specialised education, but more scientific research is needed to back up these practices,” she explains.

Not just grades

De Boer’s research focuses not only on academic outcomes of students, but also on social inclusion and students’ self-esteem. “Inclusive education means that students not only develop well cognitively but also feel accepted and valued,” says De Boer. “Ultimately, it’s about ensuring they find their place in society and the job market.”

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