What do you truly value? A study on enhancing attention to worldview formation and children’s existential questions in primary education through hermeneutic-communicative methods.
Carolina Blanken – Bolk, Saxion University of Applied Sciences
In today's world of ideological diversity, and increasing loneliness, people are searching for meaning and connection. In this context, it is important to create space for existential questions, using religious and worldview diversity as an inspiring starting point. At the same time, primary school teachers face challenges in providing worldview education, leading to a decline in attention to children's existential questions in their classrooms. This study aims to identify effective principles of professional development programs that help teachers create space for worldview education and address children's existential questions through hermeneutic-communicative methods.
The role of gaze behavior in the fundamental motor skills in children
Bente van Dijk, The Hague University of Applied Sciences
Fundamental motor skills are declining in children globally. Unfortunately, there is a lack of effective interventions to help physical education teachers to rectify this decline. The aim of this project is to improve fundamental motor skills by enhancing gaze behaviour in children. By utilizing eye-tracking technology, it is investigated which motor skills are influenced by gaze behavior and how this behavior develops in children aged 4 to 8 years. Both Delphi and longitudinal methodologies will be applied to gain comprehensive insights. Based on these insights practical interventions will be developed that support teachers in enhancing motor skills in young children.
Interpreting the Unspoken: Counterfactual Historical Reasoning for Reconstructing Early Christian Heterodox Thought Using Large Language Models
Andrew Elrod, HZ University of Applied Sciences
This project uses advanced artificial intelligence, specifically large language models, to reconstruct the lost ideas of early Christian "heretical" (in other words, "rebel") thinkers like Marcion of Sinope. These figures are often only known through the hostile writings of their opponents, leaving gaps in our historical understanding. By training AI to act as "synthetic theologians," we aim to generate plausible interpretations of their beliefs. This will shed light on early Christian diversity and help us understand how marginalized voices are treated throughout history. Ultimately, the project will create tools and guidelines for using AI responsibly in historical and theological research.
Navigating Young Masculinities: The Manosphere and Sexual Citizenship at Dutch Higher Education Institutions
Ola Plonska, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
This research explores how young men interpret narratives from the online manosphere and how these interpretations shape their construction of sexual citizenship. The manosphere, characterized by hypermasculine ideologies, significantly influences attitudes toward gender and sexuality, especially among men aged 18–25. Employing an ethnographic approach, this study examines the interplay between digital discourses and real-world behaviors in higher education institutions in Amsterdam and The Hague. Through digital ethnography, classroom observations, and interviews, the research investigates the socio-cultural impact of online misogyny on young men’s identities and interactions, addressing gaps in sexual citizenship theory and educational gender dynamics.
A total of over 5.1 million euros has been awarded. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science makes 9 million euros available annually for the doctoral programmes until the end of 2026. Read more on the website of NWO.