An Piessens (EN)

An has her heart set on practice-based research in pedagogical practices. She champions participatory work with those who are less likely to speak, is curious about children's perspectives, and believes that parents could use more support in reconciling family, work and other life choices.

The passion for participation is reflected in the European GOTALK project, which aims to make child participation in schools more sustainable and inclusive. Participation and child-friendly information are also addressed in the AMIF project 'Strengthening opportunities for children in reception', in which Odisee University College is leading.

An worked on a perception survey of children in asylum centres, 'On the road with children on the run'. Besides the output in a report and articles, the research led to a narrative and informative website about children in an asylum centre.

She collaborated on the PACE project that aimed to increase access to childcare and employment for vulnerable families. The PACE materials are freely available on the project website. From the project also flowed a reflection tool for care initiatives (Droomm), on dealing with parents.

Because social developments often become difficult pedagogical issues, she has been conducting research into the use of digital media in early childhood care for several years now, as in the DIGIPED and DIGIPIP projects. Participatory and paying attention to different perspectives.

A social pedagogue by training, An holds a PhD from Ghent University in 2007 with research on patterns of thinking and working in general welfare work. Since then, she has worked at the Institute of Tropical Medicine and at Research Centre Child & Society. Since 2016, she has been working for KdG University of Applied Sciences.