At a glance:
Research Group: Inclusive Education and Global Citizenship
Location: The Hague
Education level: PhD
Numbers of hours per week: 32
Salary: € 7.375,11 - € 9.544,16 (scale 15)
Do you want to contribute to education that makes a real difference — not in spite of, but thanks to diversity? Do you believe that inclusion, global citizenship, democratic participation and inclusive leadership are not separate ambitions, but together form the core of inclusive education that fosters democratic citizenship? Do you hold a PhD, have proven experience in practice-based research, and the drive to connect research with education, professional practice and society? Then read on!
Building just and inclusive education in a global context.
As our Professor of Inclusive Education and Global Citizenship, you will lead a research group that addresses one of the most pressing societal challenges of our time: how can education contribute to just, inclusive and democratic societies — both locally and globally?
You will build on the work developed over recent years around inclusive education and bring your own innovative vision to it. As of 1 January 2026, the theme of global citizenship has been integrated into the research group. You will develop a coherent research agenda in which inclusive education, global citizenship, inclusive participation and inclusive leadership reinforce one another. Not as four separate themes, but as four perspectives on one shared ambition: fostering resilient, just and democratic learning environments in which every student, professional and citizen can actively participate in a rapidly changing world.
What will you do as Professor Inclusive Education and Global Citizenship?
You will play a key role in shaping and leading a research group that connects education, research and society. You will develop a clear, multi-year research strategy that delivers visible societal impact and is supported by a strong national and international funding base.
Your research agenda is structured around four interconnected pillars:
Global Citizenship provides the broader societal framework for your work. It focuses on fostering moral and civic awareness, critical and empathetic thinking, and intercultural competence among students, educators and professionals. You will explore how education not only transmits knowledge but also prepares individuals to take responsibility for building a just and sustainable world. This work is embedded in a wider context of geopolitical developments, shifting democratic landscapes and complex systemic challenges.
Inclusive Education forms the pedagogical and didactic foundation. You will investigate how learning environments can be designed so that all students — regardless of background, learning style or perspective — can thrive. This includes ensuring equitable access to learning opportunities, promoting dialogical and multi-voiced pedagogies, and embracing diversity as a strength.
Inclusive Participation focuses on democratic practice. You will examine how students and staff can meaningfully influence education, policy and society. How can power dynamics and mechanisms of exclusion be identified and addressed? How can participation lead to shared ownership and democratic renewal?
Inclusive Leadership serves as the connecting and enabling force. You will explore how leaders in education and civil society create the conditions for just, democratic and learning-oriented environments — from fostering psychological safety to sustainably embedding inclusive values in policy, culture and decision-making.
You will work closely with schools, municipalities, civil society organisations and (inter)national partners. Projects are developed through co-creation: not research conducted on education and society, but research conducted with educators, students, professional partners and communities. Methodologically, you will build on approaches such as Community-Led Research and Action (CLRA) and Pedagogy of Discomfort, further developing these in relation to global citizenship.
Connecting research, education and professional practice
Research only truly matters when it makes a visible difference in practice. As our professor, you will work closely with the research group to ensure a strong connection between academic quality, pedagogical innovation and tangible societal impact. This means:
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Strong alignment with the three programmes within the Faculty of Social Work & Education, as well as programmes across the university, with demonstrable contributions to curriculum development, faculty professionalisation and pedagogical innovation that directly benefit both students and educators.
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Actively involving students as co-researchers and co-designers of education, fostering ownership, inclusive participation and positioning education as a space to practise democratic and civic responsibility.
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Translating research outcomes systematically — beyond academic publications — into practical guidelines, tools, workshops and interventions for education and policy.
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Collaborating closely with professional practice through living labs, field labs, regional ecosystems and knowledge networks.
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Contributing to the professional development of colleagues through lectures, lunch sessions and tailored training programmes.
You see clear opportunities to extend practice-based research across the wider educational pathway — from primary and secondary education to vocational education and teacher education, including ongoing professional development for educators.
Positioning and collaboration
The research group has dual embedding within the university. Substantively, it is part of the Centre of Expertise Global and Inclusive Learning (CoE GIL), where several research groups collaborate on themes related to transformative learning for transitions, including inclusion, democratic renewal and global challenges. Within this context, you will actively contribute to joint research programming, external funding acquisition and the strategic positioning of the Centre. You will work closely with the Leading Professor and fellow Professors and share responsibility for the overall quality, coherence and societal impact of the Centre of Expertise.
Organisationally, the research group is embedded within the Faculty of Social Work & Education (SWE). In this role, you report to the Director of SWE and collaborate closely with the degree programmes. From this position, you will ensure the sustainable integration of research into curricula, learning pathways and practice-based learning environments.
The research group includes a core team (kenniskring) of at least 1.2 FTE, complemented by approximately 1.5 FTE of researchers funded through ongoing projects. You will join a committed and motivated team of lecturer-researchers with experience in practice-based and participatory research. Together, you will further develop the research agenda and strengthen the group’s impact.
You operate in a dynamic environment where intellectual autonomy goes hand in hand with shared responsibility — as a collaborative team member within CoE GIL and as a strategic partner within the university, in particular with the Faculty of Social Work & Education (SWE).
We are looking for an experienced and entrepreneurial researcher with an inspiring vision on inclusive education and global citizenship — someone who brings people together, inspires them and mobilises them. A scholar with academic authority, who also understands what it means to co-create knowledge with students, educators, professional partners and communities.
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You hold a PhD and have built a strong academic track record — preferably in practice-based research — in the field of inclusive education and/or global citizenship, with a solid foundation in the educational domain.
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You have extensive experience with practice-based and participatory research. You are experienced in leading a research team and familiar with the associated HR and financial responsibilities.
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You combine a visionary perspective on societal and educational developments with the ability to translate this vision into concrete, innovative interventions, methodologies and partnerships.
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You have demonstrated experience in leading a research group and large-scale national and international research projects, as well as in securing external funding (nationally and internationally), on which the research group’s financial sustainability substantially depends.
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You are a connector: approachable, collaborative and able to bring diverse perspectives together in productive ways.
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You are reflective, open to dialogue and aware of power dynamics in knowledge development and organisational contexts.
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You value interdisciplinary collaboration and actively seek connections with other research groups, faculties and institutions.
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You possess strong intercultural communication skills in Dutch and English and have experience connecting people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
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You personally embody the values represented by the research group: intellectually curious, open to all perspectives and willing to explore them without prejudice.
We particularly encourage candidates to apply who, through their background, professional experience or societal engagement, bring new and diverse perspectives to global citizenship, inclusion and education. We value both academic expertise and practice-based knowledge, as well as inclusive and connective leadership.
What makes this role unique?
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You will shape the direction of a research group working on one of the most urgent and meaningful themes in higher education.
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You will be part of a Centre of Expertise that not only studies inclusion and global justice, but actively embodies these values in its own practice.
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You will develop a distinctive and recognisable research agenda for the group, aligned with the shared knowledge agenda of CoE GIL.
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You will connect research, education and professional practice in ways that are directly visible and meaningful to students, educators and professionals.
First and foremost, it's important that you are able to enjoy your work. In addition, we offer you:
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A gross monthly salary between € 7.357,11 and € 9.544,16 (salary scale 15) based on a full-time appointment. Our employment conditions are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Universities of Applied Sciences (CAO-HBO).
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A temporary appointment of 0.8 FYE (32 hours per week) for a period of six years, with a formal evaluation after two years.
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8% vacation allowance.
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Guaranteed end-of-year pay of 8,3%.
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An extensive leave arrangement.
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The choice between an NS Business card (2nd class) for your commutes or a kilometer based compensation.
> Read more about our attractive working conditions on terms of employment
A safe, and professional working environment is imperative to The Hague University of Applied Sciences, both internally and externally. Therefore, for employees joining our organization, it is a standard requirement to provide a Certificate of Conduct (VOG). A VOG is a certificate, that can be requested by anyone residing in the Netherlands with a Citizen Service Number (BSN), confirming that there is no evidence of past behavior by the employee that might present obstacles to fulfilling their new role at The Hague University of Applied Sciences.
If you work at THUAS, you work at one of the most dynamic and open organisation in the City of Peace and Justice. Together with 2,500 colleagues, you help 26,000 students from over 120 countries to prepare for a promising future in a world that changes every day. We do this by growing and evolving along with the world and the wishes of our students. We work together intensively with colleagues, with students and in the professional field. Furthermore, we look ahead, we are critical, and we stand in the middle of society.
Diversity, inclusiveness and equality are at the heart of everything we do. We strive for the composition of the student and staff population to reflect the society in which we work, and we want to offer everyone equal opportunities. We realise that this requires constant attention. We invest in this ourselves, and we would like you to help us with this.
> Read more about our story and our core values here:Our story
> THUAS as an inclusive campus: The Hague University inclusive
You can only apply for this position through the application button. Applications sent to these e-mail addresses will not be considered. The application deadline 14 June 2026.
The first round of interviews will take place on June 19 and 22, 2026. The second round of interviews will take place on June 29, 2026.
Do you want more information?
A detailed structural and thematic profile of the position has recently been developed and can be requested from the Leading Professor of GIL, Theo Bakker [email protected]. Questions about the position may also be directed by email to Theo Bakker.
For questions about the application procedure, please contact [email protected].
Unsolicited acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated
