Cok Bakker
Prof. Cok Bakker is a scholar of Theology and Religious Studies and Educational Studies. He is currently professor of Worldview Education at Utrecht University and professor in Normative Professionalisation at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht. The relationship between belief systems and professional development is central to his research.
What is 'good' education? And who gets to determine this? A certain degree of subjective interpretation always plays a role within the educational spectrum that ranges from standardised curricula to casual interventions in the classroom. Normative professionalisation focuses on the awareness of these subjective, and therefore normative, factors in professional practice.
"What is considered to be good education is not engraved in stone. It must constantly be assessed in dialogue (with those involved)."
The research group focuses primarily on the normative professionalisation of lecturers. Since 2016, however, this theme has been expanding its range - in collaboration with other lecturers and researchers - to include other professional fields of practice (such as accountancy, construction, valuation practices and social work). The subjective experience and interpretation of 'professional space' serves as an important starting point.
Fields of expertise
- Educational quality
- Professionalism
- Belief Systems and Education
Publications
- Teachers stepping up their game in the face of extreme statements A qualitative analysis of educational friction when teaching sensitive topics
- The professional as an interpreting subject Utrecht’s concern for the normative nature of professionalism and professional development
- Ultimately, reflective professionals ask existential questions Chapter 7
