Dr. Henderien Steenbeek

Dr. Henderien Steenbeek is a developmental psychologist and has been a professor in Diversity in Learning & Behaviour since 2013, within the Youth, Education and Society professorship. She is also a theme leader within the theme of Equal Opportunities & Participation, one of the strategic themes of the Centre of Expertise Healthy Aging. Her research is primarily affiliated to the Hanze Education Academy. She is currently a member of the National Expertise Centre for Primary to Secondary School Transition, the Expertise Centre for Interaction in the Diverse Classroom and the Expertise Centre for Talent Development. Additionally, she has been an associate professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Groningen since 2013.

In 2006, she obtained her PhD for her research into dyadic interaction of children during play, exploring the differences between with different sociometric statuses. She later served as coordinator of the TalentenKracht research programme Groningen (RUG, developmental psychology; 2007-2016).

Her research focuses on stimulating children's learning and well-being in the educational context, with particular attention to the development of children who are vulnerable to a trajectory of reduced learning and well-being, for whatever reason. She also works on strengthening the pedagogical and didactic skills of educational professionals working with children.