GET ACTIVE

About us

Subline

Prof. Dr. Maarten van Zalk

What is my role in the project?

I lead the project.

What do I like about the project?
What do I look forward to?

I look forward to finding out how teenagers can make a school a more tolerant and positive place. Teenagers’ own, often powerful, roles they play in interventions are often overlooked, and I want to instead study how we can give them maximum possibilities to make a positive change in their schools. I also really like about this project that we will working together with teenagers, the schools, and others who work with youths: it moves away from just “pure” research and actually tries to make an impact. We plan to do this in many ways, working for example locally with social workers in many neighbourhoods throughout Europe, online game developers and even writers for youths. 

Tell us something no one knows about you!

I draw comics.

Dr. Maor Shani

What is my role in the project?

Together with Prof. Maarten van Zalk I lead the project as an “Early Career Researcher” or post-doc (which means something like “already a doctor, not yet a professor”).

What do I like about the project?
What do I look forward to?

I am grateful to be involved in a research project in psychology that is all about the “real world”. Unlike research done in labs, in “Together for Tolerance” we get the chance to observe how relationships between adolescents or students develop and change, and how attitudes and behaviors regarding respect and dialogue, tolerance and cooperation between students from different cultural groups and backgrounds can be promoted. Through our prevention in the school we’re not only learning new things, but also do some good – by helping young students to grow and develop in a more tolerant and accepting community.

Tell us something no one knows about you!

I make uplifting progressive trance music!

Malin Kleuker

What is my role in the project?

I am planning and implementing the intervention.

What do I like about the project?
What do I look forward to?

Students should be seen as the VIPs at school. I like the idea to discuss and focus on group dynamics at school. I hope that we can make school a better place for all students.

Tell us something no one knows about you!

As a student, I was really addicted to chocolate drinks.

Wilma Middendorf

What is my role in the project?

You will mostly see me during the data collection, because I am partly responsible for it. To plan the data collection and to present the project, I am in touch with your principal, your school social workers and your teachers. Why do I do all of this? A part of my dissertation is taking place in the project. After a successful dissertation, you receive a PhD. But this is not why I do this. I work in the project and am at your side as your contact person, because I am interested in what you have to tell us, meaning how you answer the questions that we ask you. Not you as an individual, but you as a school collective.

What do I like about the project?
What do I look forward to?

I am looking forward to both the data collection and the prevention. Regarding the data collection, I am curious if the ideas that we developed are actually true. This is something we can only test with the help of your answers (fyi: you are the experts!). Moreover, I am excited to see the solution strategies and school-wide actions that are being planned by the focus group.

Tell us something no one knows about you!

I believe in ghost/ mystery stories that I am being told. I (used to) believe all the stories in the tv show “Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction”.

Sophie de Lede

What is my role in the project?

As a student research assistant in the department of Developmental Psychology, I support the project regarding the planning, organisation and implementation.

What do I like about the project?
What do I look forward to?

The project tries to bridge the gap between research and practice, which is a challenge that is great fun and can bring added value for both sides. I like working in the project because it offers a wide variety of tasks, ranging from content-related considerations and discussions to organizing and conducting the surveys. There are always new tasks coming up, so it never gets boring. I look forward to hearing the ideas of the young people taking part in the prevention on how they can make their school a more tolerant place!

Tell us something no one knows about you!

I do handpoke tattoos.

Nina Tegeler

What is my role in the project?
I coordinate the project more in the background, taking care of creating the website, accounting for expenses and communicating with our sponsor, the Volkswagen Foundation.
What do I like about the project?
What do I look forward to?
I think it’s great that your school is participating in our project to create a more tolerant place for you students and I look forward to understanding what moves you in dealing with your fellow students. I also wish for my children to go to a school where everyone accepts each other and where there is a nice togetherness that makes school life easier for everyone.
Tell us something no one knows about you!

I play the flute in a church band.

Melina Boettcher

What is my role in the project?

I help with data collection at the school and with the creation of the codebook for the project.

What do I like about the project?
What do I look forward to?

I like the fact that the project is diverse and that we work with young people. This gives us an insight into different schools. With my work in the project, I have the feeling that I can make a meaningful difference.

Tell us something no one knows about you!

My elementary school teacher was firmly convinced that I would become a politician one day because I told her the following phrase: “We live in a free country where you get to choose your friends!”

Franziska Witte

What is my role in the project?

I help with the data collection in the school and with the implementation of the questionnaire.

What do I like about the project?
What do I look forward to?

I look forward to working with the students and developing an effective intervention together. I find it exciting to gain insights into the reality of life and the perception of young people.

Tell us something no one knows about you!

I recorded a song in a recording studio when I was 7 and then it was played on internet radio.

Jule Eichhorn

What is my role in the project?

I support the team in the organization and implementation of the data collection. This means that I create and prepare materials such as letters to parents or handouts with the access data, as well as conduct the data collection in the classes themselves. In addition, my tasks include the preparation and follow-up of the materials for the data collection. 

What do I like about the project?
What do I look forward to?

I am most looking forward to getting to know different schools and their networks between students. I also find it interesting to see what results the project will show.

Tell us something no one knows about you!

I have a brown thumb. Unfortunately, I can not keep plants alive, although I would very much like to have more of them in my apartment.

Kristina Krämer

What is my role in the project?

I help in the preparation of the project and in the data collection in the schools. I also take care of the website and social media.

What do I like about the project?
What do I look forward to?

I am especially looking forward to meeting and getting to know many of you at school. I am curious to see how you like the project and what ideas you have for shaping your school. I am sure you will come up with great actions for the school and help make your school a place of tolerance and togetherness. Together as a team, data collection is a lot of fun – and I hope you enjoy it, too!

Tell us something no one knows about you!

I have acted as an extra in crime dramas a few times, and my biggest performance was as a nun.

Helen Beutler

What is my role in the project?

I am active around the data collections as well as in the social media area of the project.

What do I like about the projectt?
What do I look forward to?

I like working with you students and getting to know many different perspectives on the topic of tolerance. I am looking forward to experiencing the project as it develops and I am excited about the development of your networks and actions.

Tell us something no one knows about you!

I’m a real early riser and don’t like sleeping late.

Charlotte Demandt

What is my role in the project?

I write the texts for this website and am responsible for the social media area, together with Kristina. With this I inform interested people and participants about the research project and current events.
I also help out with data collection sometimes, maybe you have seen me at your school.

What do I like about the project?
What do I look forward to?

I’m interested in everything that improves human coexistence and how to successfully communicate this knowledge to people who otherwise don’t deal with it that often. “Together for Tolerance” offers me the experience for this and I am already very excited about your ideas for the school actions! And in general, what you are interested in and what moves you. I don’t experience that much in my social network.

Tell us something no one knows about you!

I sing and play keyboards in a rock band; produce music of various genres and instruments.

Anna Adamczyk

What is your role in the project?

I am a student assistant in the Department of Developmental Psychology. I was responsible for the translation into Polish and now I support the team with various tasks within the project.

What do I like about the projectt?
What do I look forward to?

I am very happy to be involved in the project because it is important to me that all students feel comfortable at school, no matter what country they come from or what languages they speak. I am looking forward to being able to influence the better coexistence in the school.

Tell us something no one knows about you!

As a child and teenager, I loved writing my own stories.

Oleksandr Pometun

What is your role in the project?

I am a student research assistant. First I was engaged for the translations into Ukrainian and Russian and also helped with data collection. Now I help with the different tasks.

What do I like about the projectt?
What do I look forward to?

I am interested in studying the interaction between people and how to improve this interaction. So that people with different backgrounds, cultures and worldviews can come closer and exist together in a friendly way.

I am happy that I can participate in this project and contribute to make the school a tolerant place for all children.

Tell us something no one knows about you!

I am so afraid of the robot uprising that I am studying artificial intelligence to lead it!

Filiz Alheraki

What is your role in the project?

As part of the moderation team, I guide us through the individual sessions and support you in implementing your projects. But a bit of conception and evaluation are also part of my tasks.

What do I like about the projectt?
What do I look forward to?

To you! I am super excited about the topics that you bring and that move you.

Tell us something no one knows about you!

I can watch a good movie over and over again without getting bored.

Özge Önes

What is your role in the project?

I help in the project as a student research assistant and am responsible for the translations into Turkish.

What do I like about the projectt?
What do I look forward to?

It is a pleasure to be able to create a good cooperation through the interaction with the students and with the support of the parents and to improve the atmosphere and the communication network in the schools for all students. For me it is very valuable to be able to participate in this project that serves such a good purpose. I am very excited about the results of the project.

Tell us something no one knows about you!

Although I love their scent, I am unfortunately allergic to some flowers. Sometimes even a room spray can make me sneeze several times.

Sandrine Witolla

What is your role in the project?

As part of the moderation team, I will guide you through the project and help you put ideas into action for your school.

What do I like about the projectt?
What do I look forward to?

Most of all, I am looking forward to the ideas you have to create good interaction at the school.

Tell us something no one knows about you!

I always wear different socks.