People learn through stories...

…by listening to stories, sharing stories with each other, reflecting on stories together and telling each other stories. At Learning Stage we build on academic expertise and years of practical experience in applying story-based learning and reflection methods. For sustainable change in people, organizations and society.

Our mission

We believe in the power of imagination to make room for the human aspects of change. We build on academic expertise and years of practical experience to guide joint learning with all those involved.

In change processes the ‘what’ is often central. Consider the introduction of a new technology, a governance adjustment in an organization or the implementation of new policy by the government. Usually, sufficient research is done into the financial impact, strategic system choices or the (scientific) substantiation. But what about attention for those who will experience and/or realize the change themselves?

At Learning Stage we make room for the human aspects of change. We believe in the power of imagination: the driving force behind narrative-based learning and reflection. In doing so, we draw not only on scientific knowledge of organizational learning, but also on our cultural treasury of literature, theatre and philosophy.

In our assignments we value joint learning with all those involved around a (complex) issue, where Learning Stage inspires and guides the learning process as an independent third party. Thanks to our collaboration with the other impact centres of Erasmus University Rotterdam, we can use interdisciplinary knowledge of the humanities, public administration and behavioural sciences.

Our team

Dr Iris Casteren van Cattenburch

Founder and managing director Learning Stage, Senior consulting researcher GovernEUR Impact Centre, Erasmus University Rotterdam

Dr Mike Duijn

Senior consulting researcher and managing director GovernEUR Impact Centre, Erasmus University Rotterdam

Kaja Pohlmann MA

Dramaturge, project manager

Dr Inge Merkelbach

Managing director BIG’R, Assistant Professor Behaviour Change and Societal Transitions, Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Moos d’Herripon MA

Choreographer, theatre maker, gaming expert

Dr Nele Cannaerts

Assistant Professor Management & Organisation, Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Dr Iris Casteren van Cattenburch

Founder and managing director Learning Stage, Senior consulting researcher GovernEUR Impact Centre, Erasmus University Rotterdam

Dr Mike Duijn

Senior consulting researcher and managing director GovernEUR Impact Centre, Erasmus University Rotterdam

Kaja Pohlmann MA

Dramaturge, project manager

Dr Inge Merkelbach

Managing director BIG’R, Assistant Professor Behaviour Change and Societal Transitions, Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Moos d’Herripon MA

Choreographer, theatre maker, gaming expert

Dr Nele Cannaerts

Assistant Professor Management & Organisation, Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences