Teachers in the spotlight
KTI consists of an inspiring group of teachers and researchers with various (inter)disciplinary backgrounds, including innovation and transformation studies, science and technology studies (STS), development studies, anthropology, communication, and philosophy. In addition, all KTI staff has hands-on experience with socio-technical transformation processes and transdisciplinary collaboration with a range of stakeholders. They share these experiences in their courses and lectures through in relevant case studies.
Teacher in the spotlight: Birgit Boogaard
Birgit Boogaard teaches courses like African Philosophy and Social Justice, Technology and Development. Her courses have won multiple WUR Excellent Education Awards, and in 2023 she was even awarded National Teacher of the Year in the Netherlands.
Education is about making connections between humans. Each group process is unique, but the common denominator is that we connect with each other.
Birgit elaborates: “Education is about making connections between humans. Each group process is unique, but the common denominator is that we connect with each other. In an interdisciplinary and culturally diverse student group, it is even more important that each voice is heard. Therefore, the basis for each course and lecture is a safe learning environment in which we also dare to move out of our comfort zone. Hence, I carefully select and design interactive and transformative exercises and include creative elements such as storytelling, music, and videos. Moreover, when learning about and from historically underrepresented perspectives, we – students and teachers – need to be reflective about our positionality and privileges. Therefore, I invite students to reflect critically on my own as well as their cultural and educational background. KTI offers a unique inter- and transdisciplinary learning environment, in which we dare to address the uncomfortable questions of our time, and can move towards a more just world.”