Alexandra Langers appointed professor

Innovative education

Her research focuses on innovative forms of education and testing, such as the use of Extended Reality (including Augmented Reality), and new ways of (digital) testing. Langers: “We not only want to innovate, but also evaluate whether these innovations work, and why they do or don't work. Researching innovations scientifically lays the foundation for new developments.”

In addition, her research focuses on teacher professionalization. “There is more and more knowledge about didactics in general, and in academic education in particular. In this research, we are looking at what the effect of teacher training is, and how we can further improve the training of medical doctors,” Langers says, ”For example, we have given gastroenterology, bowel and liver doctors a Train-the-Trainer course, in which subject specialists continue to develop as teachers. We are currently evaluating what effect this has on the training of assistant medical doctors. This latest research is being done together with another training region in the Netherlands.”

Research, teaching and care

In her work, Langers combines patient care with teaching and research. “Research I do in collaboration with colleagues from the Education Expertise Center, an enthusiastic group of researchers engaged in education research. I am also an gastroenterology, bowel and liver doctor and involved in the training of doctors in training to become specialists (aios) in gastroenterology, bowel and liver. For eight years, I was chief gastroenterology, bowel and liver educator in the Leiden Education and Training Region (OOR). I also teach undergraduate and graduate students in Medicine.”Vice-decaan Universitair Onderwijs

Since July 2024, Langers has been vice dean of University Education. “As a result, I am intensively involved in LUMC's three undergraduate and seven graduate programs. The beauty of the combination of the professorship and the vice-deanate is that both are focused on further development and innovation in education.”

Recognize and appreciate

An important current theme at LUMC is Recognition and Appreciation. There is a theme group active within the Academia in Motion program looking at how we can value teaching more and better. “In that context, teacher professionalization is very important, because this is a way to develop further as a teacher. In addition, we think it is important to provide a broader career perspective for teachers who choose a teaching career.”

Resume

Alexandra Langers studied Medicine in Leiden. After graduating, she spent twelve months doing research in Paris. She then returned to Leiden and completed her gastroenterology, bowel and liver specialization. A few years later, Langers obtained her PhD on a study of colon cancer.

She has held various roles within education, including course block coordinator, year coordinator and teacher. In addition to the Basic Teaching Qualification, she has obtained a Senior Teaching Qualification. She is currently a member of the Leiden Teachers' Academy.

For the past several years, Langers has been portfolio holder for Education on the Division 2 Board within LUMC. She is currently Vice Dean University Education and a member of several international committees focused on curriculum development and education.