Background

Why do neurodevelopmental conditions and educational outcomes run in families?

I’m Elsje van Bergen, an Associate Professor at the Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam. During the 2024–25 academic year, I’m based in Oslo, Norway. I lead research at the intersection of genetics, psychology, psychiatry, education, and public health. Together with my fantastic team, I explore why some children find it easier to learn than others—and how genes and environments shape these outcomes across development.

Our work spans language, reading, and maths, as well as neurodevelopmental conditions like dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and autism. By studying the causes and consequences of learning differences, we aim to better understand their links with mental health. To understand why learning differences and neurodevelopmental conditions run in families, it’s essential to disentangle genetic inheritance from environmental influences. This research has important implications for educational and health interventions and policy. You can hear more in my 1-minute YouTube introduction.

I’m grateful to be supported by prestigious personal grants, including past awards like the Rubicon and VENI Talent Grants, and current support from a VIDI Talent Grant, ERC Starting Grant, and Jacobs Foundation Fellowship.

Within my team, some researchers focus on the intergenerational cycle of educational achievement, while others study neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD and autism. Poor educational outcomes often persist across generations, creating a cycle of inequality. We know that children whose parents talk and read less to them tend to struggle in school, but it’s not clear whether this association is due to a causal effect of parenting or to shared genetics. My research aims to better understand the underlying mechanisms of this familial educational disadvantage to inform how we can intervene to ensure that all children have the opportunity to learn and thrive.

At the VU Amsterdam, I work in the Department of Biological Psychology, home to the Netherlands Twin Register. I’m also affiliated with LEARN! and Amsterdam Public Health. I hold a PhD in Child Development and Education from the University of Amsterdam, and have previously held postdoctoral research fellowships in Developmental Psychology at the University of Oxford.

I am a Fellow of the Young Academy of Europe, a Jacobs Foundation Research Fellow, a former Amsterdam Young Academy fellow, and served on the Scientific Advisory Board of the International Dyslexia Association. I have received several early- and mid-career awards, including the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading, the Association for Psychological Science, and the Federation of Associations in Behavioral & Brain Sciences.

Outside of work, my husband and I have two young children, and I enjoy practising acrobatics, yoga, and pole sport.

Research

Job Opportunities

Promising early-career researchers interested in working with me are welcome to contact me; please include a CV. There are also several fellowships that you may be eligible for, including the Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (for those currently based outside the Netherlands), Hestia (for academic refugees in the Netherlands), and Veni (for those who have received their PhD within the last 3 years). Additionally, your current country of residence may offer fellowships as well.

Personal Story

If you’re interested in hearing about my journey to tenure, including the challenges and setbacks I faced along the way, you can check out this interview in English or in Dutch (original). It provides a frank and sincere portrayal of my experiences as a researcher.

Career Path

University of Oslo (from 2024)

Visiting Professor
During the 2024–25 academic year, I was based at the University of Oslo as a Visiting Professor, affiliated with both the Centre for Equality in Education (CREATE) and the PROMENTA Centre in Psychology. My work involves close collaboration with scientists at CREATE, PROMENTA, and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Together, we leverage data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) and national registry data to advance research on the co-occurrence and intergenerational transmission of education and mental health.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (from 2015)

Assistant –> Associate Professor
As an Associate Professor at the Department of Biological Psychology, I am fortunate to contribute to and have access to the resources and expertise of the Netherlands Twin Register. Previously, I was funded as Assistant Professor by an NWO Veni Early Career Fellowship (2016-2020). In addition, I am a member of Oriel College at the University of Oxford and have ongoing grants for research on science communication, intergenerational transmission, and learning difficulties. I am dedicated to advancing our understanding of these important topics and making a positive impact in the field.

University of Oxford (2012-2017)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
I completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Oxford in the Department of Experimental Psychology, where I worked in Professor Bishop‘s lab. My fellowship was funded by an NWO Rubicon Fellowship and a Junior Research Fellowship from Oriel College, both of which ran from 2012-2015. I remained affiliated with Oxford as a Visiting Academic for an additional two years.

University of Amsterdam (2008-2012)

PhD Student
I conducted research at the University of Amsterdam’s Research Institute of Child Development and Education, where I was supervised by Professors de Jong, Oort and van der Leij. In 2013, I successfully defended my thesis, entitled “Who will develop dyslexia? Cognitive precursors in parents and children”.

Before 2008

Amsterdam & Aberdeen (Before 2008)

I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Human Movement Sciences from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, with a focus on learning and development of movement coordination. Both degrees were awarded cum laude. During and after my studies, I worked as a teaching and research assistant. As part of my Master’s program, I completed a 6-month internship at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, where I conducted research on reach-to-grasp movements in Professor Mon-William‘s lab.

Publications

For the full reference list, please click on the image on the left.

Teaching

I specialize in teaching research methods, career development, and academic writing. My current teaching responsibilities include:

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Contact

📧 E-mail e.van.bergen@vu.nl & e.van.bergen@psykologi.uio.no

📍 Addresses

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Biological Psychology
Van der Boechorststraat 7
1081 BT Amsterdam
the Netherlands


Medical Sciences building, office H-565

University of Oslo
PROMENTA & CREATE
Forskningsveien 3A
0373 Oslo
Norway


Schjelderupshus, office S04-30

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