By learning and creating together, we help talent flourish

As a researcher within the research group on Sustainable Talent Development, Miranda de Hei has spent many years working on issues related to collaborative learning and co-creation. Since joining the research group in 2011, she has further developed her expertise in collaboration within higher education. Today, her work focuses primarily on co-creation processes in which students, lecturers, professionals, and other stakeholders work together as equal partners to address complex societal challenges. 

After completing her Master's degree in Educational Sciences in 2011, De Hei decided to pursue a PhD based on the central question of her master's thesis. Under the supervision of Professor Ellen Sjoer, she embarked on this journey and has been a valued member of the Research Group on Sustainable Talent Development ever since.

Her doctoral research focused on collaborative learning in higher education. Since 2019, her interests have gradually shifted towards co-creation processes, with an emphasis not only on developing innovative solutions but also on fostering the personal and professional growth of everyone involved.

"My research has shown that collaboration and co-creation do not only lead to innovative outcomes; they are also incredibly valuable for the personal and professional development of all participants," says De Hei.

Sustainable Talent Development

What appeals to De Hei most about sustainable talent development is the breadth of the concept. In her view, the research conducted within the group may cover different themes, but it all contributes to the same overarching goal: creating opportunities for everyone to develop their talents.

This aligns closely with her personal mission. She strives to connect students, lecturers, professionals, and other stakeholders so they can learn, work, and innovate together.

"My mission is to bring together students, lecturers, professionals, and other stakeholders so that, through learning, collaborating, and co-creating together, we can develop educational innovations that allow everyone's talents to flourish."

Working on Sustainability Transitions

De Hei is currently contributing to the development of the new research line Societal and Technological Transitions, together with Marloes Ambagts, Peter Vermey, Titus van der Spek, and two student assistants. This research line forms part of the Knowledge Agenda theme on sustainability and supports its ambition to contribute to a sustainable future through education, research, and knowledge development.

At its core is the question of how technological and social innovations can reinforce one another to accelerate sustainability transitions. To answer this question, the project team is mapping the knowledge and expertise already available within the university. Through literature reviews and interviews with researchers and lecturers, they are creating an overview of ongoing initiatives and identifying opportunities for new collaborations.

"In this way, we are creating a comprehensive overview of all the research and educational activities currently taking place within THUAS on this topic."

"I hope my projects and research will help turn 'equity in action' into reality across many different forms of collaboration, enabling us to achieve sustainable transitions together."

Bringing together education, research, and professional practice

Throughout her work, De Hei seeks to strengthen the connections between education, research, and professional practice. One example is the Colourful Proteins project, in which the research group collaborated with Van Leeuwen Catering, the Primary Teacher Education programme, and the Nutrition and Dietetics programme.

Together with children, parents, teachers, students, and lecturers, the project explores how primary schools and families can be encouraged to choose healthier school lunches based primarily on plant-based proteins. The project demonstrates how bringing together diverse perspectives through co-creation can result in innovative solutions that are immediately applicable in practice.

Towards 'Equity in Action'

When reflecting on the major challenges of the coming years, De Hei looks beyond climate change, the energy transition, or the circular economy. She believes the greatest challenge—and opportunity—lies in the way people collaborate.

"The most challenging transition, but also the most promising if we succeed, is a transition towards a different way of living together in which equity is truly put into practice."

By this, she envisions a society in which people genuinely listen to one another and take each other's concerns, ideas, and passions seriously. "I hope stakeholders will increasingly listen to one another, truly understand each other's concerns and passions, and, through that understanding, work together on the innovative solutions that are urgently needed to keep our world liveable." This ambition also guides her own work for the years ahead.

Contact

Interested in learning more about co-creation, sustainable talent development, or societal and technological transitions?

Feel free to contact Miranda de Hei at [email protected].