Who are you, what position do you hold within the faculty, and since when?
My name is Zowi Vermeire, and I have held the position of lecturer-researcher since October 1st. I supervise Master’s theses at the Pedagogical Science programme, and next to that I work at NOLAI (National Education Lab AI), where I do research into teachers’ use of AI tools in primary education. I look into the role of these tools in their education, investigating its benefits and its limits.
What position/job did you have before this?
Previously I did a postdoc at Utrecht University, researching educational policies regarding interdisciplinary education. Prior to that I obtained a PhD, also at Utrecht University, by investigating the topic of how adolescents learn through social media. For my PhD research, I studied learning communities on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch. I investigated how adolescents learn and share knowledge and skills in their free time, and how these insights can be used as inspiration for formal education. Before that, I worked as a researcher at BNNVARA (Dutch TV broadcaster) for three years, focusing on digital innovation and the use of new technologies for the broadcaster.
What are you most looking forward to in your position?
I would like to gain more insights into the role that AI can or should play in education, and what consequences the use of AI has on learning for children and young people. I hope that I can contribute to this by developing knowledge about this topic because it is so important to use AI in a responsible manner. It is therefore very good that we’re researching this right now. I also look forward to learning a lot. I’m really excited to collaborate with colleagues who have different methods and perspectives than I am used to. I think it will be interesting to put all those different strategies together and to then learn from each other.
Where can we find you? / How can we contact you?
The easiest way to contact me is via email. I work from Monday through Thursday; two days at NOLAI in the Erasmus Building and two days here in the Maria Montessori Building. You can usually find me in my office at MM 03.028 on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Which film or book did you enjoy the most?
The book The Dispossessed by Ursula Le Guin is wonderful. The story takes place on a planet where ownership doesn’t exist. Even though it is science fiction, it feels like a thought experiment: what would society look like without ownership? What language would people speak? How would they organise themselves? And what are the pros and cons of such a society?
I really enjoyed the film The Lobster, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. It is a very funny, absurdist film in which people are obligated to find a new partner. If they don’t succeed, they will turn into an animal. I thought it was fascinating how the film makes you think about things that we normally take for granted.
What is at the top of your bucket list?
I don’t really have a proper bucket list, but if I have to choose something, I would love to go to Spiel in Essen. It is the biggest boardgame convention in Europe. I think it would be great to go there. A friend of mine who develops games goes there every year and always tells us enthusiastically about the new boardgames that are presented there. It is doable in terms of distance, but I just still haven’t been there. Hopefully soon! I would recommend the boardgames Root (if you like long-lasting, strategic games) or Wingspan (if you like pretty games).
Which hobby makes you forget the passing of time?
Sculpting is very relaxing. I once took a course in model sculpting in Amsterdam, and since then I love working with clay. I still try to do it whenever I’ve got the time. Usually I make dolls, but sometimes I try to make a cup.
Do you have any fun facts about yourself?
I used to play the drums in various bands, and I still do it sometimes. I did it a lot during secondary school and my student days, for instance in a band with my little brother.
