Edwin van der Zande
Edwin van der Zande PhD is a researcher for the Research group Normative Professionalisation. In November 2018, he successfully defended his doctoral thesis entitled ‘Life Orientation for Professionals’. Edwin's research interest concerns the moral motivations that underlie professional activities and how to bring these dimensions into effective dialogue with each other.
From the very beginning of his doctoral research, he combined his research interest with the development of a Minor in Philosophy, World religions, and Spirituality. This educational context became a testing ground for biographical research in relation to value-articulation and professionalisation. The goal of this research is to offer concrete tools to assist study career coaches in guiding the development of their student's professional identities.
"A conscious personal worldview contributes to the quality of professional behaviour."
After completing his doctoral research, he helped in the development of the curriculum of the Teacher Training for Primary Education programme, where study group learning integrates the normative dimension of education with subject-specific knowledge and skills. In addition, he has extended his research by studying teams at primary schools, whereby the focus lies on developing useful reflection tools.
Fields of expertise
- Value-orientation in professionalisation
- Identity issues
- Religion and meaning-making
Publications
- Exploring practical knowledge Life-world studies of professionals in education and research
- The professional as an interpreting subject Utrecht’s concern for the normative nature of professionalism and professional development
- Ultimately, reflective professionals ask existential questions Chapter 7
