Let’s meet the team:  

Harold Bekkering is a Professor of Cognitive Psychology at Radboud University and is fascinated by the workings of the human brain and above all how it supports human learning. He wants to contribute to society at large by implementing insights from science through psychology to artificial intelligence into products for social good. Harold is co-director of the Living Lab: Learning for the Future, and one of the academics involved in the Learning and Education strand of Digital Society, an innovative research programme involving all 14 Dutch universities facilitated by the Association of Dutch Universities, the VSNU. 

Harold leads innovative spin-off company De Lerende Mens, which shares a name with a book he co-authored. Harold is also a former chair of the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour. A well-respected academic, Harold is a member of the Royal Dutch Academy of Science, and a Knight in the Order of the Netherlands Lion. 

Assistant Professor Inge Molenaar’s main interest is technology-empowered innovation in education that facilitates the development of students’ talent. Her research focuses on the application of data from online learning environments, apps and games in understanding how the monitoring and control of someone's learning unfolds over time. Inge is co-director of the Living Lab: Learning for the Future. Inge, who leads the Adaptive Learning Lab research group at Behavioural Science Institute at Radboud University, has received several grants from the Dutch Research Council (NWO), the European Union and several national bodies. Inge is a member of the Strategy Team of the Dutch AI Coalition (Nederlandse AI Coalitie) and the coalition's Education Workgroup, and also a member of the European Commission's Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence and Data in Education and Training. 

Project Manager Nils Müller holds degrees in mathematics, philosophy, education and cognitive neuroscience. His doctoral thesis explored the brain's remarkable efficiency in learning when prior knowledge is available. Initially training as a teacher, Nils became dissatisfied with the empirical basis underpinning most conventional teaching advice. This prompted him to delve further into the neural mechanisms of learning.

With more than 15 years of experience across various educational settings, Nils now firmly believes that we can design significantly improved learning opportunities for all students. His work at the Living Lab Learning for the Future aims to contribute to the development of an education system better equipped to prepare students for future challenges.

Should you have any questions regarding the pedagogical or didactical aspects of the Living Lab, please do not hesitate to contact Nils at nils.mueller@ru.nl. Additionally, if you are a student at Radboud University and our mission resonates with you, we encourage you to reach out. We are always seeking students to help shape the Living Lab and contribute to the creation of inclusive educational environments.

Manager Strategic Relations, Dorien Wellen, studied Social Economic History and Communication. She is also manager Learning and Education for the Digital Society Program of the VSNU and coordinator of the 2nd year Professional Skills course Artificial Intelligence of the AI department of the Radboud University.
Dorien set up and lead the Knowledge & Technology Transfer departments of Radboudumc and Radboud University, responsible for funding & grants, intellectual property & contracting, spin-offs & public private collaborations. She also worked as New Business Manager and PR consultant. 
For the European Commission (EC) Dorien is expert on innovation topics and evaluator of grants. She is member of the NLAIC steering committee of ELSA labs and chair of the advisory board of Enliven VR. Dorien was co-founder of Health Valley and president of the Dutch Association for Knowledge- and Technology Transfer Personnel.

For lab enquiries about the Living Lab, contact lab coordinator Pascal de Water at pascal.dewater@ru.nl  

For general enquiries about the Living Lab, contact Eefje Mittendorff at eefje.mittendorff@donders.ru.nl