Dr. Sanne Akkerman

Biography

Sanne Akkerman works as a Professor in the Department of Education at Utrecht University. Her research focuses on educational scientific practices as they relate to the ever-changing society, examining how diverse learning, working, and living environments impact students and professionals. In her dissertation, completed with honors in 2006, she addressed the literature on boundary crossing in education, mapping the nature of challenges and effective strategies to improve learning outcomes. Her empirical research examines students and professionals who are confronted with multiple perspectives and forms of participation through dual multidisciplinary programs and partnerships. Akkerman is currently developing theories from her ERC project titled 'Lost Transition? Multiple Interests Contexts Education, Leisure Work', investigating challenges adolescents face in pursuing diverging interests amidst potentially conflicting social support at school and home. She leads a subsequent NRO-funded project titled 'Interest Diversity', in collaboration with the University of Amsterdam, focusing on the relationship between interest and engagement in school. Additionally, in 2021, she initiated the Comenius Leadership Project 'UniCity', aimed at embedding urban life in educational research and promoting community public engagement.

Research Interests

Experience