Dr Maarten Koeners

About me:

I’m trained as a biomedical researcher (experimental nephrology) and over the years I’ve become passionate about strengthening the link between learning and joy through play and compassion. See e.g. paper on the physiology of play, education incubator on the Playful University, last year’s Festival of Compassion, UoE Excellence in Education blog and recent BERA blog series and BERA podcast.

I integrate insights in the physiology of play and playful learning with my academic practice. The exciting next step I have taken is to establish the Playful University Club, and together with Adam Lusby the Playful Lab, to form global connections on the creation of holistic pedagogic practices for students, educators and innovators – enabling individual and institutional play and playfulness to foster a culture that supports joyous, authentic transition to the co-creation of knowledge and skills, while counteracting a number of barriers to innovation and wellbeing.

Interests:

My vision and innovative approach to learning and teaching is to strengthen the pedagogic link between joy and learning through play, compassion and connectivity. With this in mind I have established the Playful University Club through my Education Incubator Fellowship, which promotes higher education to be a place where learning is created and nurtured through joy, engagement, and play, and where learning to solve problems and overcome obstacles are rewards in their own right. By promoting playful and compassionate learning and teaching we can, I believe, address contemporary issues like fear of failing, avoidance of risk and mental ill health. My recent academic output includes attracting funding, designing courses, peer reviewed publications, research on impact, bespoke resources and workshops, including giving advice or consultancy about learning experiences and professional development. Furthermore, I am passionate to lead and create positive social change and belonging. My actions include coleading the Kinder Exeter Festival to promote and experience compassion through play and leading the Festival of Compassion. The latter includes a collaboration with inspirational people like Rev. Keith Magee (adviser to Obama and Biden on race) to address compassion and social justice.

Qualifications:

• MSc (Utrecht, the Netherlands)
• PhD (Utrecht, the Netherlands)
• Advance HE Fellowship Certificate (FHEA, PR231770)