Bjorn Wansink

Dr. Bjorn Wansink is an Associate Professor at Utrecht University's Faculty of Social Sciences, specializing in education and pedagogy. His work focuses on bridging societal polarization through developing multiperspectivity in education, particularly addressing cultural diversity, citizenship, and handling controversial topics in classrooms.

• Core themes: Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Pathways to Sustainability
• Key initiatives: Co-founder of the TerInfo program on teaching sensitive subjects
• International engagement: Advisor to Council of Europe, OSCE, and Radicalisation Awareness Network

Wansink's research examines psychological processes in perspective-taking among youth. Notable projects include training teachers in Lebanon and South Korea on handling divisive histories, and developing frameworks for dialogic spaces in education. He has received the Brouwer Vertrouwensprijs (2023) for his work on creating dialogic spaces.

• Recent activities: Keynote at ORD Symposium (2025), World Café on university societal role, Changing Democracies conference in Brussels

As a member of the Council of Europe intergovernmental project (2016-2019), he shaped history education policies for post-conflict societies. His work spans teacher training, curriculum development, and public engagement through media and workshops.