3 lines of expertise
BRITE brings together researchers with different—yet always complementary—backgrounds. Together, they create, share and apply knowledge in three main lines of expertise. Curious to know what they are? Scroll down and find out.
Research line 1: Urban Education
Brussels is a global city that, despite its relatively small territory and population, ranks among the top in various international rankings. This status is not only due to its role as the host city of European Union institutions. As an economic and institutional metropolis, cosmopolitan Brussels also faces major challenges linked to increasing globalization, migration, urbanization, and ethnocultural diversity. Within the Urban Education research line, we respond to these dynamics through research on themes such as diversity and gender, Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), citizenship, and sustainability.
Research line 2: Professional development of teachers
The research line “Professional development of teachers” focuses on strengthening the professional growth of in-service and pre-service teachers. Therefore, we work closely together with school teams, school leaders, policymakers, and a broad network of educational and societal partners. Our research is rooted in practice and aims to support professionalisation across the education system. To illustrate, a flagship project within this research line, “Onderzoekende School?!”, brings together teachers, students, teacher educators, and other stakeholders that collaboratively research and improve educational practices.
Research line 3: Future Classroom
The Future Classroom research line explores how educational innovation can influence teaching and learning in ways that are grounded in real needs. We investigate e.g., the potential of digital tools, immersive technologies, online, blended and outdoor learning, and innovative spatial design. Working in close collaboration with schools, policymakers, and international partners, we use design-based and participatory research methods to co-create practical solutions for today’s and tomorrow’s education. Our work bridges educational theory and practice, contributing to inclusive, future-oriented learning environments.
Mission statement
BRITE researchers from various disciplines join forces in an ambition to achieve societal and academic impact in (teacher) education in Brussels and other metropolitan areas. We investigate how superdiverse urban environments can serve as assets to build a warm, inclusive learning society. We aim to co-create knowledge through transdisciplinary partnerships with members of the educational community, using innovative research methods. With our empowering approach we want to ensure equal chances for learning, participation, and belonging.