
THUAS Relational Peer Mediation Conference 2025
Dutch translation below
THUAS Relational Peer Mediation Conference 2025
Learning Through Discomfort: Relational Pedagogies for a Just University
26-27 June, Innovation Playground, The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS)
Hosted by: Centre of Expertise Global and Inclusive Learning - Research Groups Multilevel Regulation and Inclusive Education; Faculties of Public Management, Law and Safety and Social Work and Education
You are cordially invited to this two-day participatory conference that offers a critical and affective space to explore how relational peer mediation and the pedagogy of discomfort might unsettle dominant paradigms in higher education.
The event brings together educators, students, researchers, practitioners, institutional leaders and policymakers—within and beyond THUAS—to collaboratively engage in the affective, ethical, and pedagogical work of reimagining the university as a space of relational transformation.
This conference is organised under the Comenius Leadership project “Relational Peer Mediation Training to Foster Affective Learning at THUAS through the Pedagogy of Discomfort” and is for those who believe that higher education must engage the full range of human experience.
Join us as we co-create a restorative vision of the university—where discomfort is not an obstacle to learning, but its very condition of possibility.
The main language of the conference is English, but some sessions will be conducted in Dutch (see programme) If you would rather participate in plenary sessions in Dutch, please email us and we will explore the options to facilitate this.
Register by 20 June through this link
For a draft programme see this link
With any questions, reach out at peermediationthuas@hhs.nl
De Haagse Hogeschool – Relational Peer Mediation Conferentie 2025
Leren door ongemak: Relationele pedagogiek voor een rechtvaardige hogeschool
26-27 Juni, Innovation Playground, De Haagse Hogeschool
Georganiseerd door: Centre of Expertise Global and Inclusive Learning - Research Groups Multilevel Regulation en Inclusive Education; Faculteit Bestuurskunde, Recht en Veiligheid en Faculteit Sociaal Werk en Educatie
U bent van harte uitgenodigd voor deze tweedaagse conferentie waar een kritische en affectieve ruimte wordt geboden om te onderzoeken hoe relationele peerbemiddeling en de pedagogiek van ongemak (pedagogy of discomfort) de dominante paradigma's in het hoger onderwijs wakker kunnen schudden.
Het evenement brengt docenten, studenten, onderzoekers, beroepsbeoefenaars, institutionele leiders en beleidsmakers samen - binnen en buiten THUAS - om samen te werken aan het affectieve, ethische en pedagogische werk om de hogeschool opnieuw vorm te geven als een plek van relationele transformatie.
Deze conferentie wordt georganiseerd vanuit het Comenius Leadership project “Relational Peer Mediation Training to Foster Affective Learning at THUAS through the Pedagogy of Discomfort” en spreekt iedereen aan die gelooft dat hoger onderwijs de gehele menselijke ervaring moet betrekken.
Doe mee als we samen een herstellende visie op de hogeschool creëren - waar ongemak geen obstakel is om te leren, maar juist een voorwaarde om te kunnen leren.
De voertaal van de conferentie is Engels, maar sommige sessies zullen in het Nederlands worden gehouden (zie programma). Als je liever in het Nederlands deelneemt aan de plenaire sessies, stuur ons dan een e-mail en dan bekijken we graag de mogelijkheden hiervoor.
Registreer voor 20 juni via deze link
Voor ons conceptprogramma zie deze link
Voor vragen kunt u contact opnemen via peermediationthuas@hhs.nl

Kick-Off
Kick-off meeting for the Comenius Project, about the the Relational Peer Mediation Training to foster empathy, emotional learning, and conflict resolution through the Pedagogy of Discomfort.

Story-Sharing Fora
About this event
Register before the 19nd of May
Join us for an impactful Story-Sharing Forum, an open yet intimate space where THUAS students share and reflect on real experiences of discomfort, exclusion, and discrimination, based on student input collected via interviews and surveys.
This event takes place within the framework of the Relational Peer Mediation Project. The goal of the forum is to build trust, foster understanding, and collect real-life experiences that will help shape next year’s peer mediation and conflict competency training. By participating, you contribute to making THUAS a more connected, empathetic, and inclusive community.
The session will be facilitated by trained educators and researchers from the project team: 👩🏫 Naomi van Stapele, Barbara Warwas and Tamara Takács.
Looking ahead, the project team will be offering conflict competency and mediation training next academic year and everyone is already welcome to join or learn more.
📍 Spots are limited, so sign up before May 19