Relational Peer Mediation Conference 2026

Learning through Discomfort: Relational Pedagogies for a Just University

Date: 12–13 March 2026
Location: The Hague University of Applied Sciences (main campus)

How do you deal with tension, disagreement, and discomfort in the classroom? And how can you use these moments as powerful opportunities for learning?

During this two-day interactive conference, you will discover how Relational Peer Mediation (RPM) helps to address conflicts, group dynamics, and challenging situations in constructive ways. You will gain practical skills to foster dialogue, strengthen relationships, and use discomfort productively in your educational practice.

For students, lecturers, educational managers, and staff who want to contribute to an inclusive and just learning environment.

What to expect:

• Dialogue sessions on group work, tensions, and differences
• Practical workshops and peer mediation training
• Film screening and collective reflection
• Concrete tools you can immediately apply

*Certificate of participation for attending both days and the training sessions.

**The main language is English, with some activities offered in Dutch and language support provided where possible.

Registration

Programme – Day 1 (12 March)

Room: Speakers' Corner

09:30 – 10:00 Registration & coffee
10:00 – 10:30 Welcome and opening by:

• Wâtte Zijstra (Senior Researcher, Centre of Expertise Global and Inclusive Learning)
• Arend Hardorff (Member of the Executive Board, THUAS)
• Barbara Warwas (Professor of Multilevel Regulation)

10:30 – 11:30 Keynote & conversation
Michalinos Zembylas (Professor of Educational Theory and Curriculum Studies, Open University of Cyprus) on Pedagogy of Discomfort, followed by an interview and Q&A with Naomi van Stapele (Lead Climate Justice as a Social Responsibility, Movisie).

11:45 – 12:45 Relational Peer Mediation (RPM) at THUAS
Introduction to the concept and panel discussion with lecturers, students, management, and mediators on how RPM can be structurally embedded in education.
Chair: Laurence Guérin, Professor of Citizenship, Academica University of Applied Sciences

Panelists:

• Jikke Verheij, Programme Director International Public Management – Public Administration & Government Management
• Willem van Nieuwkerk, Faculty Dean Public Management, Law & Safety
• Marion Uitslag, trainer and mediator – experiences from the peer mediation programme at HU University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht
• Marcus Kempe, SSMS student and one of the Comenius project student leaders
• Antje Gerbner, Lecturer European Studies
• Janique Scharenborg, Social Safety Team THUAS

12:45 – 13:30 Community lunch

13:45 – 14:00 Short film on Restorative Justice

14:00 – 15:00 Panel discussion
What can education learn from restorative justice? On power relations, justice, and institutional change.

Panelists:

• Annemieke Wolthuis, Senior Researcher, Avans University of Applied Sciences (speaker and chair)
• Alexandra Albei, Student International and European Law, Comenius project student leader
• Marjoleine Nes, Lecturer Primary Teacher Education (PABO), Comenius project team member
• Marieke Slootman, Associate Professor Resilient Development in Inclusive Pedagogical Contexts, Inholland University of Applied Sciences
• Mi Jung van der Velde, Senior Lecturer-Researcher International Public Management, Comenius project team member

15:00 – 17:00 Workshops (OV 3.45)
Pedagogy of Discomfort workshop by Michalinos Zembylas and project partners.

17:00 – 18:00 Reception
Meet the project’s Advisory Board members and the Comenius team.
 

Programme – Day 2 (13 March)

Room: London & Paris Room

09:00 – 09:30 Registration & coffee
09:30 – 10:00 Reflection and opening of the day by:

• Wâtte Zijstra (Senior Researcher, Centre of Expertise Global and Inclusive Learning)
• Naomi van Stapele, (Lead Climate Justice as a Social Responsibility, Movisie)
• Barbara Warwas (Professor of Multilevel Regulation)

10:00 – 11:30 Workshops

• Mediation & neurodiversity (Tabitha van den Berg, Mediation Amsterdam & Myrthe Korf)
• Bodymapping

11:45 – 13:15 Parallel RPM training workshops

• Working with emotions and conflict
• Conflict de-escalation
• Peer mediation techniques for improving group work

13:15 – 14:00 Closing lunch (Café West 75)

Registration

✉️ Questions: [email protected] 

Organised by the Centre of Expertise Global and Inclusive Learning (research groups Multilevel Regulation & Inclusive Education) and the Faculty of Public Management, Law & Safety, within the framework of the Comenius Leadership Project.