About
Dr. Ellen Klatter serves as a Professor at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences within the Research Centre Urban Talent. She holds dual appointments: Professor Enhancement of the Vocational Education and Training and Professor Study Success. Her work addresses the challenges of student diversity, particularly focusing on improving study success for students from vocational secondary education (mbo) and non-western backgrounds in higher professional education.
Her educational background includes:
- Educationalist degree from the University of Groningen
- PhD from Radboud University Nijmegen
Professor Klatter's research centers on the didactics of technical vocational education, educational development, and professionalization. She investigates how lecturer professional identity shapes effective student-oriented teaching, with emphasis on cognitive development, social involvement, and well-being. Her work aims to optimize the entire educational journey—from intake through to career outcomes—and she actively collaborates with educators, students, and external stakeholders to develop evidence-based interventions for enhancing study success in diverse student populations.
Analysis of her recent publications (2020-2024) shows a consistent focus on vocational education and training (VET), particularly the application of behavioral nudges to improve student retention and success. Her research also examines teacher professional identity in technical VET and student transitions across educational levels. Methodologically, she employs qualitative studies and long-term experiments within Dutch universities of applied sciences, addressing systemic challenges in curriculum design and student progression.
Professor Klatter holds several high-impact external roles:
- Chair of the editorial board for the Knowledge Base Teaching Technical Professions (Association of Universities of Applied Sciences)
- Chairman of the Sectoral Renewal Committee for Technology (Ministry of Education, Culture and Science)
- Advisor to the curriculum council for Teacher Health Care and Welfare
She also leads the "Goalsetting" PhD research project, which implements interventions with first-year students across sixteen study programs to improve study success and well-being.
The Study Success lectorate operates under the Research Centre Urban Talent, where Professor Klatter collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to tackle the complexities of Rotterdam's diverse student population. This work aligns with the university's strategic initiative to optimize learning processes and enhance outcomes for students in higher professional education.
