Melanie Ehren

Prof. Melanie Ehren is a Full Professor of Educational Sciences at the Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. She leads the LEARN! research group focusing on educational governance, diversity, and identity. Her roles include international consultancy for organizations like OECD and UNICEF, and advisory positions at Ofsted (UK) and the Centre for Education Systems (Cambridge University).

Her research emphasizes school effectiveness, teacher accountability, and systemic trust in education. Key areas include lesson study implementation, social-emotional learning outcomes, and the global SDG-driven reforms. She has published 79 works, including articles on South African school dynamics, UK inspection reforms, and trust-building strategies in education systems.

Ehren co-leads major projects like EISON (focusing on organizational networks) and advised on pandemic-era catch-up programs. Her work bridges policy and practice, addressing challenges like 'stuck' schools and accountability pressures. She teaches courses on educational innovation and policy, integrating research into practical frameworks for systemic improvement.