Urban education

Brussels is a global city that plays a top role in international rankings.

It owes this position not only to its role as home to European and international institutions, but also to its dynamism as an economic and institutional metropolis.

At the same time, cosmopolitan Brussels is confronted with major urban characteristics such as globalization, migration, urbanization and increasing ethnocultural diversity.

Within the Urban Education research line,

we respond to these assets and challenges,

with research on themes such as diversity and gender, Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), citizenship and sustainability.

We connect scientific insights with the urban reality and work on inclusive, resilient and future-oriented education in a super-diverse metropolis.

Teachers' professional development

The research line “Teacher Professional Development” 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. 

Future classroom

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. 

BAS fiche 2026-2028

Strategic Vision (2026–2028)

Ambition

• Position BRITE as leading European research hub in teacher education
• Shape education for super‑diverse, urban and AI‑rich contexts

Core Vision

• Research with schools, not only about schools
• Bridge scientific excellence and societal impact

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Guiding Principles

• Interdisciplinarity
• Co‑creation with educational stakeholders

Strategic Research Priorities

1. Urban Education

• Inequality, multilingualism, citizenship & sustainability
• Evidence‑based policy support for complex urban school systems

2. Professional Development

• Teacher identity, leadership, and sustainable professional learning
• Scaling the “Onderzoekende School?!” model

3. Future Classroom

• AI, XR and immersive learning environments
• Adaptive teacher

Scaling, Excellence & Impact

Scientific Excellence

• Strategic focus on ERC/Horizon/... readiness 
• Strengthen postdoctoral and mentoring capacity

Organisational Scaling

• Invest in a postdoctoral research coordinator
• Support PhD completion, postdoc progression & team cohesion

Societal & International Impact

• Strengthen EU role (EUTOPIA, UNESCO,... networks)
• Communicate research outcomes to professional and public audiences

Strategic MILO days 3/4 & 27/4/2026

Look back

Prioritizing

Het MILO creëert een onderzoeksomgeving waarin onderzoekers administratief ontzorgd worden, hun competenties systematisch versterken en ondersteund worden bij het ontwikkelen van kwalitatieve onderzoeksvoorstellen.​

SG1

Het MILO versterkt de kwaliteit en impact van onderzoek door doelgerichte samenwerking, gebaseerd op gedeelde expertise, complementariteit en strategische partnerschappen op institutioneel, nationaal en internationaal niveau.​

SG2

SG3

Het MILO ontwikkelt en implementeert een samenhangende onderzoeksagenda die inzet op groei en (internationale) zichtbaarheid, met een sterke verankering in zowel praktijkonderzoek als fundamenteel onderzoek.​

Innoveren in onderzoeksmethoden en AI​
Rekrutering

Clusters (less priority)

MILO BREED

Verbinding tussen 3 peilers
ONDERZOEK - ONDERWIJS - DIENSTVERLENING

SG --> OG

BAS & Strategische doelen