2nd THUAS Relational Peer Mediation (RPM) Conference 2026
The Second THUAS Relational Peer Mediation Conference 2026
Learning Through Discomfort: Relational Pedagogies for a Just University
What if discomfort were not something to overcome, but something through which we come to know, to feel, and to transform?
Dates: 12 – 13 March 2026
Location: The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS)
Organisers: Centre of Expertise Global and Inclusive Learning: research groups Multilevel Regulation and Inclusive Education, and the Faculty Public Management, Law and Safety
You are cordially invited to our second THUAS Relational Peer Mediation Conference. This conference is organised within the framework of the Comenius Leadership Project on Relational Peer Mediation, funded by NRO in collaboration with colleagues from the Diversity Discomfort project, also funded by NRO. During these two days, we will create an interactive space for students, teachers, educational managers and other staff members to engage in a dialogue about how we learn and teach and what role Relational Peer Mediation can play in that.
Embracing discomfort and learning how to use it in a productive way
In a world increasingly shaped by polarisation, tensions, and disagreements, learning needs to focus on relationality. This means being open to the perspectives of others and addressing disagreement and conflict through dialogue, rather than focusing solely on our own positions. That said, building relations with others in the classroom may be challenging. Group work can be problematic, emotions may be ignored, or inappropriate comments may go unaddressed in the classroom. Such situations create discomfort, which—if not properly addressed—can be an obstacle to learning. This is why it is necessary to embrace discomfort and learn to use it productively. Peer mediation can be a helpful tool for addressing discomfort.
Through dialogue sessions, workshops, and a movie screening, we would like to discuss with you your experiences with group work, what we can learn from discomfort, and how we can address disagreements and conflicts. We will also offer peer mediation training to equip you with conflict management and resolution skills to help you navigate difficult situations constructively.
This two-day conference will be an opportunity to strengthen our community of students and educators who wish to take a step forward toward a just university based on respect, inclusiveness, and dialogue. We are building on the first conference of 26 – 27 June 2025, where the emphasis was on rethinking student–teacher relationships, not simply as instructional roles, but as affective partnerships grounded in trust, vulnerability, and mutual learning. During this second conference, we will offer variety of training workshops, and together we will explore how to use them in your daily practice.
We will issue certificates of participation to those who attend the conference and the training workshops on both days.
Please register via the following link. In case you have any questions, please reach out to us via peermediationthuas@hhs.nl ✉️. The full program is included below.
We look forward to welcoming you to the conference.
Warm regards,
The Comenius Leadership Project Team
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.
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
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