On-Site Afscheidscollege Prof. dr. Rolf van der Velden

Titel van de rede: "This is a skills world"

Over the past decades, sociologists and economists have shown that education is associated to a range of relevant outcomes, such as success on the labour market, health, civic engagement, and social participation. What is less clear is why education affects these outcomes? Is it related to the skills that are acquired in education or do credentials serve as an entry ticket to privileged positions? And what is the role of families? How can the strong intergenerational persistence in educational attainment be explained? And are social disparities reinforced in education or does education fulfil an emancipatory function?

In this farewell speech, I will present new insights on the role of skills production in families and schools, based on two major projects: the Intergenerational Transmission of Skills project (see link) and the Netherlands Education Cohort Study (see link).

Klik hier voor de live stream.