Elise Peters

As of 1 March 2026, Elise Peters is professor of Nature & Child Development at the knowledge centre for Educational and Pedagogical Practical Research at Leiden University of Applied Sciences. She succeeds Dieuwke Hovinga. Elise is an environmental pedagogue, teacher trainer and senior researcher in the field of sustainable and nature-inclusive education. Elise: "Sustainable education is not just about knowledge of the concept of sustainability, it is about experiencing a connection with nature, knowing and feeling that together we form one ecosystem. And allow this feeling to inspire us in shaping the future together." Elise develops and leads practice-oriented research, in which she conducts research together with teachers and students in schools. With her experience in research leadership and educational development, she connects science, education and practice and gives direction to a solid knowledge foundation for nature-inclusive education.   

Research areas 

In the coming period, Elise will be drawing up the new research agenda for the Nature & Child Development research group. She is expected to present this agenda during her inaugural lecture in the spring of 2027. In any case, one theme will be paramount: "The why of nature-inclusive education is clear; we now know very well why we need nature-inclusive education. But how do we work with students in a nature-inclusive way in daily practice, in the curriculum, the learning environment, in the pedagogical profession? Well, that question is still wide open. And that is where our research assignment lies as a university of applied sciences," says Elise. Characteristic of her earlier work is the rich impact in practice. Elise always works together with practitioners and students in her research. Her work is published in scientific journals as well as in professional magazines.

• Peters, E., & Van den Bogerd, N. (2025, december). Zo haal je meer uit het groene schoolplein. Didactief, december 2025, https://didactiefonline.nl/artikelen/zo-haal-je-meer-uit-het-groene-schoolplein
• Peters, E., & Van den Bogerd, N. (2025). Ontwerpen voor het onderwijs: Natuurinclusie vertalen naar krachtige onderwijsomgevingen. In Bouwen aan natuurinclusieve onderwijsomgevingen. Collectief Natuurinclusief Nederland / Ruimte OK, www.ruimte-ok.nl/kennis-en-voorbeelden/kennisbank/gids-bouwen-aan-natuurinclusieve-onderwijsomgevingen
• Peters, E. (2025, september & november). Journal Club Tijdschrift voor Onderwijspraktijkstudies [Journal Club Host]. Thomas More Hogeschool.
• Peters, E. (2025, juni). The toad jumps because he thinks I am lovely [Presentation]. International Association of People–Environment Studies.
• Peters, E. (2025, augustus). Wat kinderen echt nodig hebben in tijdelijke opvang. Sociale Vraagstukken. https://www.socialevraagstukken.nl/wat-kinderen-echt-nodig-hebben-in-tijdelijke-opvang
• Van den Bogerd, N., Peters, E., Hovinga, D., et al. (2025). The use of green schoolyards for education: Results of teacher surveys and observations. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42322-025-00220-9
• Peters, E., Teerds, H., & van den Bogerd, N. (2025). Understanding shelters as children’s places: An analysis of the favourite places of 4–12 year olds. Children’s Geographies, 23(3), 337–356. https://doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2025.2508722
• Bliekendaal, S., Peters, E., Aldershof, S., & Ekkel, D. (2025). Playground design matters: A cross-sectional study on the association between playground features and children’s usage. Urban Science, 9(5), 177. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci9050177
• Peters, E. (2024, januari). Stevige pedagogiek in onzekere tijden [Keynote speech]. Duurzame PABO conferentie.
• Peters, E. (2024, juli). De zandbak als mede-opvoeder. UCE-Magazine. https://ucemagazine.nl/goed-onderwijs-aan-het-jonge-kind/de-zandbak-als-mede-opvoeder/
• Peters, E. (2024, oktober). Neurodiversity loves nature, nature loves neurodiversity [Lezing]. Lezing gepresenteerd op het symposium Op de rand van de toekomst, Almere, Nederland.
• Peters, E. (2024, november). Klimaatgesprekken met kinderen [Workshop]. Wereldmuseum Amsterdam.
• Peters, E., & Van Dijk, M. (2023, december). Gezinstijd in de natuur: Vergeet niet samen buiten te spelen! HJK Magazine. https://www.hjk-online.nl/ouders/vergeet-niet-samen-buiten-te-spelen
• Peters, E. (2023). Een echte gezinsplek in het groen. Vereniging Hoveniers Nederland, 5(17).Peters, E. (2023, 11-12 mei). Help Develop the Master for Sustainable Educators: What do STEM Teachers Need to Become a Sustainable Super Hero? Conference STEM and Open Schooling for Sustainability Education, International Centre for STEM Education (ICSE) in Naturalis Biodiversity Centre Nederland.
• Peters, E. (2022). Bed, Bath and Beyond. Nature Interventions to Support Family Life in Dutch Women’s Shelters and Shelters for Homeless Families. ( pdf, 4.99 MB )  Doctoral dissertation/Proefschrift. Amsterdam/Leiden, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam/Hogeschool Leiden.
• Peters, E. (2022, June 8-13). The impact of nature interventions on family life in Dutch women’s shelters and shelters for homeless families: An overview of four studies as un upbeat to discussing new avenues of investigation. Conference of the International Association for People-Environment Studies (IAPS) in Lisbon, Portugal.
• Peters E., Hovinga D., Maas J., Schuengel C. (2022). Social Workers’ Choice Making in Supporting Nature Activities by Parents and Children in Shelters. Frontiers in Psychology. 10.3389.
• Peters, E. & Van den Bogerd, N. (2022). Huisje Boompje Beestje: de methodische inzet van natuur bij de begeleiding van kinderen in de opvang. [Film]. Leiden: Hogeschool Leiden.
• Volkskrant (2022, 2 juni). Hoe stimuleer je kinderen om buiten te spelen? ‘Het is goed voor creativiteit en sociale vaardigheden'. [Interview].
• Joven, M., Peters, E. (2022). Spelen in het Singelpark. Mini-lecture voor Leiden European City of Science 2022. [Online Mini-Lecture]. 
• Peters, E., Maas, J., Van ‘t Hoff, L., & Hovinga, D. (2021, gewijzigde druk). De knotsgekke avonturen van mijn moeder en de geit: De waarde van natuur in de vrouwenopvang (pdf). Leiden: Hogeschool Leiden.
• Peters, E., Hovinga, D., Maas, J., & Schuengel, C. (2021). Exposure to a natural environment to improve parental wellbeing in parents in a homeless shelter: a multiple baseline single case intervention study. Journal of Social Distress and Homelessness, 1-12. Taylor & Francis online.
• Van den Bogerd, N., Peters, E., & Hovinga, D. (2021) Huisje Boompje Beestje: Hoe natuur de kwaliteit van de vrouwen- en maatschappelijke opvang voor kinderen kan versterken (pdf). Factsheet. Leiden: Hogeschool Leiden.
• Peters, E., Maas, J., Hovinga, D., Van den Bogerd, N., & Schuengel, C. (2020). Experiencing Nature to Satisfy Basic Psychological Needs in Parenting: A Quasi-Experiment in Family Shelters. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 8657.
• Peters, E., Maas, J., Schuengel, C., & Hovinga, D. (2020). Making women’s shelters more conducive to family life: professionals’ exploration of the benefits of nature. Children’s Geographies, 19(4), 1-13.
• Peters, E. (2018, July 10). The benefits of nature for families living in women shelters: A practice based study. Conference of the International Association for People-Environment Studies (IAPS) in Rome (IT).

Justitiële Jeugdinrichting Teylingereind: Lid van de Commissie van Toezicht