About Us

Welcome to the International Laboratory of Cultural-Historical Psychology and Education (ILCHE)

What is ILCHE?

The International Laboratory of Cultural-Historical Psychology and Education (ILCHE) is a vibrant, voluntary network of researchers advancing cultural-historical psychology and activity theory research in education and psychology. Our mission is to strengthen and consolidate educational psychology research that enhances teaching practices globally through an open, collaborative, and research-driven approach.

Who We Are

We are a diverse association dedicated to promoting cultural-historical theory and activity theory within the fields of psychology and education. Our lab fosters educational research collaboration to generate meaningful insights that support human development in education and transform learning.

  • Mission: To advance cultural-historical and activity theory research that improves educational practices and supports intellectual development.
  • Our Approach: Open, inclusive, and collaborative, encouraging innovative research methodologies and mentorship for PhD students and early-career researchers.

Our Research Focus

Our key research areas include:

  • Theoretical Foundations: We delve deeply into the development and application of cultural-historical theory and activity theory, aiming to better understand the processes of learning, development, and human activity. Our work contributes to building robust theoretical frameworks that guide educational change and innovation.
  • Research Methodology: We are dedicated to innovating in how research is designed, conducted, and interpreted. This includes developing new methods of data collection and analysis that reflect the complexity of educational and psychological processes, while staying true to the principles of cultural-historical research traditions.
  • Digital Learning Environments: We examine how digital spaces and tools shape learning, communication, and development. Our research investigates the affordances and challenges of online and hybrid educational contexts, with a focus on how they can support meaningful intellectual engagement and participation.
  • Educational Tools & Practices: We design, evaluate, and refine educational practices and tools that are rooted in theory and responsive to real-world needs. These include instructional strategies, assessment tools, and classroom interventions that promote holistic development and equitable learning experiences.
  • Mentorship & Collaboration: We foster a vibrant, supportive research community by mentoring early-career scholars and PhD students. Our collaborative approach values diverse voices and perspectives, encouraging knowledge co-construction across generations and disciplines.

Join Our Community

Become part of a leading psychology and education research lab! We offer two membership options:

Full Academic Membership: For researchers actively contributing to open-access educational research and publications.
Associative Membership: For those interested in participating in discussions, webinars, and lab activities.

Learn more

Access to research mentorship, collaboration on virtual research lab projects, discussion forums, and invitations to educational research webinars and events.

Apply for Membership →

Get involved

Connect with theInternational Laboratory of Cultural-Historical Psychology and Education (ILCHE) — advancing cultural-historical psychology and education research collaboration for transformative learning worldwide.

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