Profile
Jo Van Herwegen
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About Me:
I am a mum of two sons and live in Surrey. I am an Associate Professor in psychology and education and director of the Child Development and Learning Difficulties lab. My passion is working with children to ensure all reach their full potential and improve learning outcomes for all young people. I also love music (used to play and sing), love anything related to art and train for triathlons. Although my research focuses on how children learn math, my own mathematical knowledge is limited!
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I am originally from Belgium and never thought I would end up in academia as a scientist. I actually wanted to be a musical star and had musical training. However, my parents encouraged me to go to university and get a degree. I am glad they did! I started studying English and Dutch at the University of Antwerp with the aim to become a teacher (which would allow me to perform in musicals on weekends). However, during my degree one of the professors asked me to write a short essay about Williams syndrome, a rare genetic disorder which often means individuals have stronger language abilities in comparison to their learning difficulties. Yet, the more I read about Williams syndrome, the more fascinated I became, especially after meeting some children with Williams syndrome in person at a charity meeting. I picked up the courage and wrote to the professor who had written most of the academic articles on Williams syndrome I had read (prof. Annette Karmiloff-Smith). She invited me to come and get some work experience in her lab at the Institute of Child Health in London over the summer. So in 2004 I came to the UK for the very first time for a few weeks and a few months later she offered my my first research assistant post. I then went on to complete an MSc in cognitive neuropsychology and a PHD in Psychology and Education and I have never moved back to Belgium since.
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My pronouns are:
she/her
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My Work:
My research aims to improve educational outcomes for those with learning difficulties by examining the complexity of development and considering the impact of environmental factors (such as educational practice, education policies, and home environment) as well as individual differences on educational outcomes. My research is interdisciplinary including evidence from educational neuroscience, developmental psychology, linguistics and education.
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My Typical Day:
I usually wake up early at about 5.30 am (not on weekends though!) as either I do some work when the house is quiet in my PJs or if I am in the office I am on the train by 6.30.
If I m at home I get the kids ready and to school by 8.30 ish and start work. If I am in the office I will do an hour of work on the train and be at my desk by 8am.
What I love about my job is that every day is different. I may be assessing a child as part of research or to advise schools, I may be teaching students, I may have research meetings with collaborators or researchers who work for me, I may have leadership meetings related to my role as head of research or as executive committee member of EARLI (a European organisation for research on learning and instruction) or I may be presenting my research to parents, teachers, policy makers, charities in the UK or even abroad. I also answer a lot of emails, read a lot of peer-reviewed articles and books, and always seem to be reviewing multiple drafts for my PHD students. I do love the days I block out as “slow science” days and I actually get to write about my research.
If I am in the office I go home by 4 pm so I can have dinner with my children (it’s a bit of a commute) and maybe catch up on emails and work in the evening. If I work from home I work until 6pm.
It might look like a long day but when you do the work you love, it really isn’t all work. Also, my work is flexible which is a huge plus when you have a young family or like a run during lunch time!
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I would invite students to come for a day to the university and help me create a number of fun interactive games to help parents support their preschool children’s mathematical development in the home.
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Qualifications:
I completed my secondary school in Belgium (probably equivalent of Baccalaureate)
BA in English and Dutch
MA in Psycholinguistics
MSc in Cognitive Neuropsychology
PhD in education and psychology
PGdip in HE teaching
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Work History:
bakery sales assistant
waitress
babysitter
furniture sales assistant
research assistant
Personal Assistant
private tutor/ French teacher
post-doctoral researcher
lecturer
senior lecturer
associate editor
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Current Job:
Associate professor
Head of Research (shared role)
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Employer:
University College London, I work in the IOE Faculty of Society and Education in the Psychology and Human Development Department.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
educational neuropsychologist
What did you want to be after you left school?
A musical actress
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Never anything serious
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Journalist/writer
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Too many to name!
What's your favourite food?
Anything with seafood
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
More time, to have my family closer by, to worry less
Tell us a joke.
Why do jelly beans want to go to school? Because they want to be smarties.
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