Introduction: Adaptive performance in engineering in times of uncertainty and change, conceptual backgrounds

Antoine van den Beemt is an associate professor at the Eindhoven School of Education, specialising in STEM teacher professional development. His current work centers on innovation in higher (engineering) education, with a particular focus on Challenge-Based Learning (CBL), transdisciplinary learning, and technology-enhanced learning. Antoine is actively involved in university-wide programmes aimed at the development and implementation of CBL, as well as in national and European networks that promote CBL, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary learning. He also serves on the editorial boards of peer-reviewed scientific journals and the HEErI book series on innovation in engineering education. 

Marieke van der Schaaf is an educational scientist and full professor in Research and Development in Health Professions Education at University Medical Center Utrecht. She directs the Utrecht Center for Research and Development of Education and the Life Sciences Education Research PhD program at Utrecht University. With over 25 years of experience, her research focuses on adaptive expertise, feedback, and faculty development. She has received multiple international grants and supervises numerous (PhD) students and projects in these areas.

Jan van Tartwijk is a professor of education and vice-dean for graduate education at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at Utrecht University. Jan has worked in various sectors within higher education, such as health professions education and teacher training programmes. 

In his teaching and research, Jan focuses in particular on teachers and the development of their expertise. Together with colleagues, he has been conducting research for many years into how teachers develop expertise in building positive interpersonal relationships with pupils. He and his colleagues are also studying the adaptability of teachers to changing or new circumstances and challenges. In Utrecht, Jan is one of the leaders of the university's Higher Education Research focus area, and together with colleagues from the universities of Helsinki and Oxford, he is currently editing a handbook on the results of research into higher education, which will be published by Routledge in 2026. 

Yvette Baggen is an associate professor at Wageningen University & Research, specialising in entrepreneurial learning, adaptive expertise, and transdisciplinary learning in higher education and organisations. With her work she aims to empower students and professionals as change agents, equipping them to tackle real-world sustainability challnges. Via the 4TU.CEE and the EWUU Alliance (TU/e, WUR, UU, UMC Utrecht) she contributes to different research projects in developing, implementing and evaluating innovative learning trajectories for students and professionals.