Testimonial I

"Participating in the Summer School on Voices and Silences in Historical Studies in Education was one of the most enriching experiences of my PhD journey. The combination of online sessions and an inspiring week at KU Leuven offered the perfect balance between theory and exchange. Engaging with scholars on topics like postcolonial perspectives, disability, and gender helped me see history not as fixed, but as full of unheard voices. I learned how to approach silences in historical narratives—and why giving them space truly matters. Discussions, lectures, and visits to places like KADOC and the Abbey of Park deepened my understanding of education’s social dimensions. Most importantly, I became part of a warm, international community of researchers who share a passion for uncovering neglected histories. I would recommend this experience to every doctoral student eager to broaden their academic and personal horizons."

Testimonial II

"What I appreciated most about the Histories of Education Summer School was the mix of open discussions and practical, hands-on advice for my own research. The thoughtful combination of lectures, group discussions and excursions made my experience both academically stimulating and refreshing. In many ways, I was gently encouraged to look at my own work from new and alternative perspectives. One of the most memorable moments of the Summer School was an artistic performance. It brought an unexpected creative dimension to the week that stayed with me long after.

Perhaps the most important aspect is the incredibly warm and welcoming community you step into. You are surrounded by fellow historians who show genuine interest in your research. The lecturers are very approachable, creating an atmosphere where meaningful conversations arise naturally. Ultimately, we are all passionate about the same subject, and you can really feel that shared enthusiasm throughout Leuven."

Testimonial III

"This summer, I attended the ‘History of Education Summer School’ for the second time. The first time in Groningen was such a great experience that I applied again and went to this year’s summer school hosted in Leuven. At the start, I felt unsure whether my project would really fit into the history of education, because I didn’t consider myself a historian of education in the beginning. That’s why the lectures by the teachers and discussions with the other participants and there outside perspectives were so valuable: they helped me to understand the methodological and theoretical state of the art by using ongoing research as examples. For me, the timetable of the summer school – allowing both, time for discussions of one’s own projects and getting input through lectures – was really well balanced.

What I truly appreciated was the curiosity of the teachers towards all participants projects. This created an open atmosphere for discussion and informal lunch conversations, which helped me to reflect on my own work. But the summer school is not only a great place to meet established scholars, it is especially a place to foster connections with PhD students working on similar questions and sharing an interest for the history of education. This week in Leuven was a major stepping stone for me in building a network as an independent researcher–leading even to joint conference panels and ongoing working groups with other participants. For me, the summer school opened a door into the field of the history of education."