Sephora Boucenna

Sephora Boucenna is a Professor at the University of Namur (UNamur), working within the Faculty of Education and Training Sciences. She serves in the Dean's Office and is affiliated with the Institute for Research in Didactics and Education and the Research Unit in Education and Training Sciences. With a strong research profile evidenced by numerous publications and projects, she has established herself as a leading scholar in professional practice analysis and educational accompaniment.

Dr. Boucenna holds multiple advanced degrees: a Doctorate in Psychological Sciences and Education from UCL (Belgium), a Doctorate in Educational Sciences specializing in Adult Education from CNAM (France), an Advanced Studies Diploma in Educational Sciences (DEA), and a Bachelor's degree in Educational Sciences with a Psychopedagogy option from Belgium. Her doctoral research focused on analyzing the mental activities of educational advisors in basic education during support interviews.

Her research interests center on professional practice analysis, reflexivity, differentiation in educational settings, learning cycles, class co-responsibility, adult education, and mental activity analysis. She has developed the APPPA approach (Analysis of Professional Practices for the Power to Act) which examines how professional practices can support the development of individuals' and groups' capacity for action. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in educational settings, particularly focusing on how reflective practices can enhance professional development while avoiding risks of de-professionalization.

Analysis of her recent publications (2020-2025) reveals a consistent focus on professional practice analysis methodology, with increasing attention to normative systems, emancipatory support, and the relationship between professional practice and de-professionalization risks. Her work spans both theoretical investigations and practical applications, often addressing how educational professionals navigate tensions within institutional frameworks while maintaining professional integrity.

Dr. Boucenna has been actively involved in numerous research projects, with 24 projects documented from 1997 to 2028. Recent projects include 'Effets de formation continue chez les enseignants' (2023-2028), 'MP-WBE/57bis/2023: Marché public de services pour la formation professionnelle continue,' and '2@-DP: Understanding the real activity of students to support academic adjustments and retention in university studies' (2022-2024). She frequently serves as project leader and collaborates with researchers across Belgium and France.

She has presented her work extensively, with 56 documented activities from 2001-2024, including organizing the 8th colloquium of the gEvaPP (groupe pour l'évaluation des pratiques professionnelles) in January 2024. Her work has established her as a key figure in professional practice analysis, particularly through her development of the APPPA framework which has been presented internationally, including at the Salle des Pros Conferences at UNamur.