Prof Dr Trudie Schils (T.)
I am a full professor in economics of education at the department of Macro, International and Labour Economics (MILE) of the Maastricht University School of Business and Economics (SBE). I focus on the economics of education.
My current research focuses on the analysis of the assessment of student performance, the role of tests in education, the role of social-emotional skills, the identification and support of gifted students and differences between students by socio-economic background or gender. A more detailed description of my research is found under ‘research’.
I am programme manager of the ‘Educatieve Agenda Limburg’. This is a cooperation between the institutes of higher education in the region (Maastricht University, Zuyd Hogeschool, Fontys Hogescholen and Open University), the vocational education institutes (MBO), schoolboards in primary and secondary education, and the Province of Limburg. Main goal of this project is maintaining and expanding good education in the region. Education in which students learn things that fit their talents and interests, and which matches the needs of future education, or the labour market. We believe that by collaboration between all relevant actors, and active monitoring of progress, this can be achieved. More about my activities in this programme is found under ‘activities’.
Professional career history
Professor Economics of Education, department of Macro, International and Labour Economics, School of Business and Economics, Maastricht University (since June 2020).
Programme Manager Educatieve Agenda Limburg, department of Macro, International and Labour Economics, School of Business and Economics, Maastricht University (since September 2014).
2018-2020
Associate Professor Economics, department of Economics, Maastricht University.
2015 – 2018
Associate Researcher Economics, department of Economics, Maastricht University
2008-2015
Assistant Professor, department of Economics, Maastricht University
2009-2014
Programme Leader Kaans Education Research, department of Economics, Maastricht University
2007
Lecturer, International School for Humanities and Social Sciences, Amsterdam University
2005-2008
Postdoctoral researcher, Amsterdam Institute of Advanced Labour Studies, Amsterdam University
2005
Researcher, Institute of Labour Studies (OSA), Tilburg University
2000-2005
PhD. student, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tilburg University

T. Schils
Professor