Higher Education Research Festival

Curious about the future of higher education? The Higher Education Research Festival brings together teachers, researchers, and policymakers for a full day of inspiration, exchange, and fresh perspectives on emerging research.

This programme first introduces the participants to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL): an approach in which university teachers systematically investigate their own educational practice to enhance both teaching and student learning.

Through the Education Research Fellows programme, sixteen UvA teachers from all faculties explore questions from their own teaching practice through research. The SoTL projects they present have grown directly out of their day-to-day educational experiences, translating practical questions into structured inquiry. The Education Research Fellows share their research plans, approaches, and emerging insights into student learning, offering a rich perspective on how teaching and research can inform one another.

Short Pitches & Poster Sessions

This session is structured in two parts: a series of short pitches that provides a concise overview of all projects, followed by interactive “wander & wonder” poster sessions. During the poster sessions, the participants can engage directly with the Education Research Fellows and exchange ideas in an informal and dynamic setting.

To deepen the discussion, a panel of SoTL experts from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam reflects on the projects, identifies key themes, and offers forward-looking advice to strengthen the impact of the Education Research Fellows’ research projects.

Over lunch, there’s plenty of time to connect with fellow participants, continue conversations, and reflect on the morning’s ideas in a relaxed setting.

In the afternoon, we shift focus to one of the most pressing themes in higher education today: artificial intelligence (AI).

Keynote

We are delighted to welcome our keynote speaker, Inge Molenaar (Radboud University), who shares insights on the role of AI in education. Her work explores how we can design intelligent, personalized learning systems that truly meet students’ needs. You can expect an inspiring talk with room for questions and discussion.

Building on this theme, AICHER showcases cutting-edge research by inviting three researchers to present their projects. Together with the audience, they will discuss how data-driven and AI-informed approaches can help address key challenges in higher education.

We conclude the day with a panel discussion featuring senior researchers and academic leaders connected through the AICHER network, who reflect on the afternoon programme and share their perspectives on AI and education. Afterwards, you are warmly invited to join a festive closing drink to continue the conversation and celebrate a day of shared learning.