Department of Educational Research and Development (ERD)
The Department of Educational Research and Development (ERD) is located within UM’s School of Business and Economics (SBE). Initially, it was established in 1984 as a small unit dedicated to provide evidence-based insights on developing problem-based learning in the domains of Business and Economics. There was a strong need within SBE to acquire expertise on how to implement a pedagogy which found its roots in medical education: Problem-Based Learning. Whenever educational advice was needed, it was always founded in evidence-based research.
With the success and growth of SBE, this unit became one of the academic departments contributing to teaching, research, and consultancy in various programs. But it kept its distinct profile, focusing on educational development with a base in educational research. Nowadays, this department is known for its expertise in teaching, research, and consultancy. It is recognized for its top-ranked master on Learning and Development in Organizations (a joint venture together with the Department of Organisation, Strategy, and Entrepreneurship and the Research Center for Education and Labour Market). Moreover, it is known for its research on workplace-learning, and its consultancy work for teachers (located in the Learning Academy) and companies (together with SBE’s UMIO).
Our staff consists of more than 30 colleagues who are committed to the delivery of research-based teaching, and provision of evidence-based consultancy. We publish in top-ranked journals, and most of our research is conducted together with companies or as collaborative effort with SBE’s teaching staff. Some of our key faculty members work in a wide range of business domains, applying their expertise on Learning and Development.
Within ERD, we engage in a wide range of activities spanning research, education, and our Learning Academy. Our work is deeply connected to industry, fostering collaborations with companies in various ways.
Explore our work and discover how we can collaborate to drive innovation and knowledge forward!
Highlighted Projects
Learning at the workplace
Connect with our Msc. Learning & Development in Organisations Students
The MSc. Learning & Development in Organisations team warmly invites L&D professionals to connect with our highly engaged and motivated master’s students. Your experiences and insights into L&D practice are critical for their professional development.
By connecting with our students, you can:
- Share Knowledge: Join our students for a guest lecture or workshop to share your insights, practical skills, challenges, and knowledge.
- Inspire Innovation: Engage with enthusiastic students who bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the field, building on a diverse set of prior education, work experience, and cultural backgrounds.
- Showcase Your Organisation and Build Networks: By inviting students on a company visit, for example, let students experience your workplace culture, practices, and opportunities, potentially attracting future talent.
Working with a range of partners over the years, we have seen how enriching these interactions are for our students, but also for the growth and development of the L&D community. If you are interested in collaborating with us, please reach out to our programme leader Therese Grohnert via t.grohnert@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information and support in developing suitable activities.
We look forward to connecting and learning with you!
The MSc. Learning & Development in Organisations Team
Learning Academy + Educational Design
Learning at higher education + coaching on employabilty
