Research projects in: Parenting and Special Education

KU Leuven , 1 or 2 semesters
The Parenting and Special Education Research Group has a wide variety of research lines, including social and neurocognitive investigations of developmental disorders, child welfare, special needs education and parenting.
Apply for this project
Research projects in: Parenting and Special Education
Back to overview

The research group consists of seven professors (academic supervisors) with expertise in specific research domains:

  • Dr. Bea Maes (intellectual disabilities; profound intellectual and multiple disabilities)
  • Dr. Pol Ghesquiere (learning disorders; dyslexia; dyscalculia)
  • Dr. Ilse Noens (autism spectrum disorders)
  • Dr. Karla Van Leeuwen (parenting; family issues)
  • Dr. Caroline Spaas (poverty x family relations/parenting; poverty x child welfare/youth care)
  • Dr. Bert De Smedt (educational neuroscience; individual differences in mathematical development)
  • Dr. Dieter Baeyens (ADHD, EF-interventions)
  • Dr. Sara Nijs (inclusive and special education/children with disabilities or special educational needs)
  • Dr. Lucia Dehaene (refugee family processes, psychosocial impact forced migration).

The group additionally comprises post-docs, PhD-students, research/teaching assistants and clinicians. Students interested in one of the research domains of the research group can contact one of the academic supervisors directly to discuss the possibility of their involvement in a research project.

  • The project is available in the Fall and Spring semester.
  • Number of places available: 1 or 2 per semester.

Prerequisites

  • High level (3rd or 4th year) undergraduate student
  • Minimum GPA 3.4
  • 2 Methodological course units in research methods.

Important note: 

Students must remain registered as an undergraduate student at their U.S. or Canadian home institution while participating in the program. The student's home institution must complete the Learning Agreement after acceptance into a project, even if credits will not be transferred to that institution. Transfer of credits is decided by the students' home institution.

Submitting an application, does not guarantee that the student will be offered a placement. The research projects are also available to our domestic degree students; therefore, projects may already be full at the time of applying. Final decision on your admission is solely taken by the Research Supervisor at the host institution.

While at KU Leuven, I began work on a first author manuscript that was published in a peer reviewed journal. I believe having this experience and subsequent publication helped in my applications for a full-time research tech position.

Lindsey

Georgia State University

I currently work at a state department of health and am enrolled in a PhD program. EuroScholars helped me to focus and identify my interests and if pursing a research career was right for me. I loved my experience as a EuroScholar and would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in research and a unique study abroad opportunity.

Nate

University of Minnesota -Twin Cities
Research presentation by Katarina (The University of Utah)

Research presentation by Katarina (The University of Utah)

Learn more about Katarina's research project: Parenting Dimensions and Internalizing Symptoms

Read more
Research presentation by Taryn (Knox College)

Research presentation by Taryn (Knox College)

Learn more about Taryn's research project: Perspectives in Disability

Read more
Veronica (University of Kentucky)

Veronica (University of Kentucky)

Read more about Veronica’s joint publication:

“Gratitude: A Resilience Factor for More Securely Attached Children”

To joint publication