SEFI PhD Summer School 2025: A week of inspiration, exchange, and growth

📍 Eindhoven, The Netherlands
📅 20–23 May 2025

The SEFI PhD Summer School 2025, held at the inspiring JADS Den Bosch, brought together 36 PhD students from 13 countries for four days of intensive learning, reflection, and connection. Hosted by TU Eindhoven in collaboration with the 4TU.Centre for Engineering Education (4TU.CEE) and the Eindhoven School of Education (ESoE), this third edition of the summer school was a vibrant hub for early-career researchers in engineering education.

Who attended?

This summer school was designed for PhD students at all stages of their research journey in engineering education. Whether just starting out or nearing completion, participants found a welcoming and intellectually stimulating environment to grow their skills and networks.

What made it special?

The programme was carefully curated to balance academic rigor with personal development and community building. Highlights included:

• Interactive sessions on:
  • AI-enhanced research methods
  • Health, wellbeing, and personal leadership
  • Career development and post-PhD pathways
• Workshops on academic writing, ethics, and data analysis
• Small-group mentoring with experts from the four Dutch technical universities
• Daily reflection sessions with senior researchers
• Writing sessions to support ongoing research

A truly international and supportive community

The summer school created a safe space for meaningful exchange, where participants could openly share challenges, insights, and aspirations. The energy and diversity of the group led to inspiring discussions and new collaborations.

Beyond the academic program, participants enjoyed:

• A guided walking tour of Den Bosch
• Three shared dinners that fostered informal networking
• Countless opportunities to build lasting international connections

A team effort

This event was made possible by a dedicated team of organisers, mentors, and contributors. Special thanks to:

• Chair: Esther Ventura-Medina
• Organising team: Karolina Doulougeri, Duru Bayram, Marieke Thurlings, Caroline Vonk, Tuba Stouthart, Nienke Nieveen, Ruurd Taconis, Hanna Aarnio, Gonny Schellings, Lia Barnes, Maiko Cheng
• Supporters: Kristina Eström (KTH, TUD), Sofie Craps (KU Leuven), Judith Gulikers (WUR), Cindy Poortman (UT), Manuel Barbosa de Oliveira, Alaa Abdalla, Ayse Kilic (TU/e), and external coach Neset Irsik

Looking ahead

The SEFI PhD Summer School continues to empower the next generation of engineering education researchers. Participants can reconnect at the SEFI Conference in Tampere (15 – 18 September 2025) or at the next summer school, likely hosted by Aalborg University.

See you soon!