Piet van der Ploeg (September 14, 1959 – May 7, 2025)

Last week we – Carl Hendrick, Jim Heal, and I – were officially notified of the sad and cruel reality of the passing of our friend and colleague Piet van de Ploeg. We began working together on a book, but quickly the four of us realised that Piet would not be able to participate. The three of us wrote the book with the following dedication to Piet.

Writing this book has been a difficult collaborative effort—one that was shaped from the onset by the insights and scholarship of Prof. Dr. Piet van der Ploeg. Piet’s early contributions were instrumental in forming and refining the ideas that form its foundation, and his influence can be felt throughout the book.

As a scholar of educational philosophy and ethics, Piet spent his career exploring difficult foundational questions such as: What’s the purpose of schooling? How should we balance transmitting knowledge with cultivating independent thought? What role does education play in shaping citizenship and democracy? Difficult questions with complicated answers. 

Anyone who has had the privilege of working with Piet knows that he brings a rare combination of intellectual rigour, humility, and deep commitment to everything he does. He has a way of asking the kinds of questions that challenge your assumptions, sharpen your arguments, and push your ideas to a higher level. His reflections on citizenship education, pedagogy, and the role of research in teaching practice have profoundly shaped our own thinking, and we don’t doubt for a second that his work will continue to inspire educators and researchers for years to come.

Though he was unable to continue as a co-author and work on this book, his presence in this book can be felt. Many of the discussions here were shaped by conversations we had, by his thoughtful critiques, and by the spirit of inquiry and reflection that he so strongly represents. It’s impossible to write about evidence-informed teaching without acknowledging the impact of his work, and we hope that in some way, this book reflects the depth of thought and dedication that he has always brought to the field.

For his friendship, his wisdom, and his generosity of thought, we are truly grateful.