Loek Schoenmakers, Ph.D.
Elmpterbaan 22, 6071AE
The Netherlands
Email: Loekschoen@yahoo.com
Web: https://appreciativechangeworks.nl
LinkedIn: http://https://www.linkedin.com/in/loek-schoenmakers-ph-d-02152317/
Loek is the founder of www.appreciativechangeworks.nl, a coaching, training and consulting service using social constructionism as foundation for co-creating change. Loek also currently works as head of the research department at Hogeschool de Kempel, a University for applied science in the South of the Netherlands, the best Teacher Training Institute for more than 8 years.
Humanizing change processes – centralizing relational processes, is at the core of his work. Using the Appreciative stance, he builds bridges thanks to Collaborative and Dialogical Practices, and strengthens educational change processes. This is one of the outcomes of his PhD research, supported by the Taos Institute and Tilburg University.
In his position as the head of the Research Department of Hogeschool de Kempel, his focus is on transforming the whole idea of Teacher Research based on Social Constructionist thought.
He has 40 years of experience within education in many roles such as teacher, school leader, school advisor, trainer, coach, researcher and educational specialist in countries such as Belgium, Aruba, Suriname, Slovakia and Czech Republic. He has been a visiting lecturer at ADEK university Suriname in the Masters: Learning and Innovation and the Masters: Educational Research for Sustainable Change. He is lecturer and developer in the Masters: Inclusive Education, and the Masters: Learning and Innovation in the Netherlands. In all these Masters programs Loek promotes social constructionism.
Besides many educational courses, Loek studied at Nottingham University (MA, 2001) Educational Change and School Improvement; and completed his Doctorate at Tilburg University (Ph.D., 2011) on the topic: Sustainable Educational Change is Being in Relation.
Loek is the author of the WordShare book Happlily Different (Taos Institute Publications, 2014) which illustrates in detail how constructionist approaches lead to more hopeful and “happy” changes for all. In 2022, Loek was co-author of the book Innoverend Onderzoeken, developed with the team of the Lectorate Learning and Innovation in Utrecht. Most recently, Loek translated to Dutch the book, The Relational Imperative, a work of Ken Gergen (2022). Since the end December 2023, Loek is working with a colleague on a book about Innovative-Research-Activities, and the translation of Invitation in Social Construction by Ken Gergen. In October 2023 the book Toolbox: Practice-Based Research with Children was published.
In 2023, Loek has been very active in growing a Dutch-speaking community of practitioners interested in Social Construction. In addition to live and virtual events, Loek is the host of the Dutch group in the Taos Institute Commons online community.
Loek lives in the Netherlands, together with his wife Annemarie (yoga teacher, social advocate, advisor and best friend). His sons – Roel, climate economist and Jon, primary school teacher – meanwhile are making their own happy lives. Besides enjoying work, Loek enjoys practicing Buddhism, studying art painting, and traveling.
