Prof Sara’s work centres on the design, development, and evaluation of tools that support coaching and reflection for (early career) teachers, leveraging (emerging) technologies such as classroom video, performance support systems, and AI. She often employ educational design research or design-based (implementation) research as an approach to generate both theoretical insights and practical outcomes.

Previously, her research focused on the conceptualisation, design, and measurement of (technological) support for teachers’ reflective dialogue in video-based coaching contexts, as well as the development of practical tools for school-based coaches.

In her current projects, she explores:

• the potential of AI-simulated learners to support deliberate practice and reflection on facilitating classroom discussions on socio-scientific issues in secondary education (UT & the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland);
• the use of AI-powered feedback to enhance reflection on the quality of teachers’ instructional explanations (HAIFIVE project UT & University of Bremen, Germany); and
• the design of supports to promote the well-being of novice and second career teachers (PLONS project UT & onderwijsregio VOTA).