Dr. Eddie Denessen

Biography

Eddie Denessen received his PhD in 1999, focusing on sociocultural differences in attitudes toward education in the Netherlands. His research centers on the relationships between social class backgrounds, religious and political values, and perceptions of 'good education'. This work aids in understanding the processes of choice, selection, segregation, and inclusion/exclusion in schools. Throughout his academic career, Denessen has developed expertise in educational inequalities, teacher expectations, differentiation in schools and classrooms, school choice, cultural and ethnic segregation, and parental involvement in education. He has published several empirical research papers, book chapters, and conference papers, particularly on parental involvement and its effects on student outcomes and school dynamics, with funding from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research. His research employs multidisciplinary analyses and focuses on the societal impacts of everyday educational practices, grounded in theories of educational inequalities and scientific pragmatism, as well as sociocultural critical theory. Denessen’s empirical work utilizes both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. From 2016 to 2023, he held a special appointment as a professor of Socio-Cultural Diversity and Differentiation in Education at Leiden University, and he is also a member of the steering committee of the European Research Network About Parents Education (ERNAPE).

Research Interests