Learning starts with people - Meet the people behind the Learning Academy

We bring together educational expertise, practical experience, and a shared commitment to supporting educators in meaningful learning and development

Dr. Laurie Delnoij

Assistant Professor & Assessment and Evaluation Specialist
Laurie supports educators and professionals in designing meaningful assessment, feedback, and evaluation practices that strengthen learning and informed decision-making. Known for her collaborative and supportive approach, she combines educational expertise with practical guidance through workshops, coaching, and consultation tailored to the needs of (academic) staff and/or business.

Expertise areas
Assessment & feedback
Evaluation & research
Faculty development
Technology-enhanced learning
Thesis supervision
AI and assessment

Dr. Inken Gast

Associate Professor
Inken supports educators through professional development programmes, educational innovation projects, and international training in problem-based learning. Her work connects research on academic development and well-being with practical approaches to strengthening teaching and learning. She is known for combining a research-informed perspective with a collaborative approach and for creating learning environments in which educators can experiment, reflect, and develop.

Expertise areas
Faculty development
Problem-based learning
Educational innovation
Professional development
Skills education
Course design

Dr. Bas Giesbers

Associate Professor
Bas supports educators in developing online, blended, and curriculum-wide learning experiences. He contributes to the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ/BKO) programme and to projects focused on educational innovation, artificial intelligence, and evaluation. Colleagues value his analytical and collaborative approach, as well as his ability to connect learning design, technology, and data to improve educational practice in meaningful ways.

Expertise areas
Technology-enhanced learning
Curriculum development
Learning design
Learning analytics
Educational innovation
AI in education

Dr. Therese Grohnert

Associate Professor & Learning Dynamics Specialist
Therese’s work focuses on creating supportive learning cultures and meaningful learning experiences. Within the SBE Learning Academy, she works with educators on group dynamics, course design, students' skill development, and thesis supervision. She is known for her learner-centred approach and commitment to fostering curiosity and lifelong learning.

Expertise areas
Group dynamics
Learning design
Workplace learning
Skill development
Thesis supervision

Dr. Roberta Di Palma

Assistant Professor & Technology-Enhanced Skills Development Specialist
Roberta supports educators and students develop skills effectively, leveraging emerging technologies like VR and AI. Within the SBE Learning Academy, she works with educators on meaningfully integrating technologies into their courses and curricula to foster not only the development of skills, but also technological literacy and innovation. She is known for her innovative spirit, her broad experience across educational contexts, and her research-informed practice.

Expertise areas
AI and VR in education
Skill development
Curriculum development
Educational innovation

Manon Jacobs

ERD Department Manager
Manon provides administrative and organisational support for the SBE Learning Academy. As a central point of contact for colleagues, participants, and partners, she helps coordinate programmes, events, and daily operations. She is known for her approachable and service-oriented way of working, her eye for detail, and her ability to keep activities organised and running smoothly across the Learning Academy and ERD.

Expertise areas
Department coordination
Operational support
Event coordination
Administration
Stakeholder support

Dr. Fatemeh Janesarvatan

Postdoctoral Researcher & Technology-enhanced Learning Specialist
Fatemeh is specialising in instructional design and technology-enhanced learning. She contributes to projects on course and curriculum development, collaborative and workplace learning, and personalised learning supported by technology. She works closely with colleagues to design engaging, evidence-informed learning experiences that support effective teaching and learning. She is valued for her thoughtful, collaborative approach and her ability to connect educational research, learning technologies, and practical design choices.

Expertise areas
Instructional design
Technology-enhanced learning
Competency development
Workplace learning
Educational innovation
Personalised learning

Pelin Karslioglu MSc.

Educational Developer
Pelin supports educators and programmes in strengthening educational practice. She designs and facilitates professional development activities and supports educators with curriculum design, assessment, active learning, learning environments, and student engagement. In programme alignment initiatives, she works collaboratively with programme leaders and course coordinators to connect learning paths, curriculum, and assessment.

Expertise areas
Faculty development
Educational design
Curriculum development
Assessment & feedback
Developing and facilitating workshops on diverse topics

Marloes Menten MSc.

Educational Developer, Director SBE Learning Academy
Marloes leads initiatives that support educational innovation, educational quality and teacher professionalisation within SBE. She brings experience in faculty development, problem-based learning, educational leadership, curriculum design, assessment, and mentoring. Colleagues value her strategic and collaborative approach and her ability to connect people, ideas, and institutional priorities to support sustainable educational development.

Expertise areas
Faculty development
Educational leadership
Problem-based learning
Curriculum development
Assessment & feedback
Education innovation
Governance

Dr. Alexandra Mihai

Assistant professor
Alexandra supports educators in designing effective and engaging education across blended and online formats. She coordinates the PBL and Tutor Training and contributes to faculty development initiatives. With a strong focus on educational technology and design, she works collaboratively and believes in the value of communities, peer learning, and connecting people and ideas.

Expertise areas
Technology-enhanced learning
Educational design
Faculty development
Blended & online education
Problem-Based Learning (PBL)
Communities & peer learning

Dr. Wendy Nuis

Assistant Professor & Professional Learning Specialist
Wendy supports students and educators through mentoring, coaching, and professional development activities. Her work focuses on fostering reflective practice, professional growth, and employability, while also exploring how learning leadership and positive learning climates can support learning and development. She combines a research-informed perspective with a coaching-oriented approach to create opportunities for reflection, dialogue, and continuous development. Within the SBE Learning Academy, she mainly contributes to the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ/BKO) programme.

Expertise areas
Mentoring & coaching
Employability & professional development
Reflective practice
Learning leadership
Learning climate

Prof. Dr. Remy Rikers

Professor and Chair of Educational Research and Development
Remy is Chair of the Department of Educational Research and Development at SBE. His work focuses on learning and instruction, instructional design, expertise development, and problem-based learning. Through his research and international collaborations, he contributes to advancing evidence-informed educational practice and innovation within the Learning Academy and beyond.

Expertise areas
Problem-based learning
Instructional design
Expertise development
Educational research
Learning sciences

Dieuwertje Van Dijk MSc.

Educational Developer
Dieuwertje focuses on teacher professionalisation, mentoring, and coaching. She supports educators in strengthening their teaching practice and contributes to building a collaborative teaching community. She coordinates the Advanced Course Coordinator Training (ACCT) and works closely with colleagues across programmes and faculties.

Expertise areas
Faculty development
Mentoring & coaching
Educational leadership
Community building

SBE Learning Academy

Maastricht University

School of Business and Economics

Tongersestraat 53

6211LM Maastricht

The Netherlands

www.maastrichtuniversity.nl

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