Bernadette van de Rijt

Dr. Bernadette van de Rijt is an Associate Professor at Utrecht University's Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, specializing in Youth and Family studies. She holds leadership roles as Director of the Bachelor's Program in Pedagogical Sciences and serves on the U-council (2023–2025). Her research examines adolescent development characteristics and determinants, with expertise in cognitive assessment tools.

Research Focus: Her work spans adolescent psychology, early mathematical ability measurement, and family dynamics. She co-developed standardized instruments like the Utrechtse Getalbegrip Toets-Revised (Dutch Number Sense Test) and the Finnish adaptation Lukukäsitetesti, advancing cross-cultural cognitive assessment methodologies.

Professional Activities:

• Invited speaker at the Sixth European Conference for Research on Learning and Instruction (1995) on early mathematical ability scales
• Sustained contributions to academic test development (2005–2009)