Petra is a researcher at the department Research & Education at Hanze UAS and the Unesco Chair Futures Literacy. Her dissertation on 'Designing hybrid learning configurations at the interface between school and workplace' has been the foundation for the development of 'Innovative workplaces' at Hanze UAS.

Besides advising on educational innovation and arts-based research methodology, she is currently conducting research on transformative learning processes, identity work and Futures Literacy (FL). Currently she conducts research into the relationship between FL and the Key Competencies for Sustainability (KCS) and teacher education