INTERNATIONAL NETWORK FOR ACADEMIC STEINER TEACHER EDUCATION
An independent, worldwide network of academic and academically oriented institutions that offer Waldorf teacher education programs.
INASTE
WHO WE ARE
The International Network for Academic Steiner Teacher Education [INASTE] is a network of institutions of higher education that offer research-based Waldorf teacher education. Spanning five continents, our member institutes are united in their dedication to educating the newest generation of teachers: whole-child focused, culturally sensitive, highly skilled and creative individuals, whose ideals and inspiration are grounded in practical experience and research.
WHAT WE DO
Collaborative Resource Sharing
Faculty at INASTE institutes are involved in projects and publications that are part of the steadily increasing amount of research connected to Waldorf education. Meetings and exchanges among network members help us to further our research and become aware of publications relevant to our work. Here is a small sample of online resources in which INASTE members have published work and found to be particularly helpful.
Bi-Annual Congresses
INASTE has organized four international congresses, aimed at bringing key voices of Waldorf education together with educators outside of Waldorf education to discuss global school reforms and to take concrete steps toward building a world-wide platform dedicated to improving the education of every child. Congress participants are educational researchers, teacher educators, teachers, students, and the general public.
The next INASTE Congress, “Human Intelligence”, will take place on May 22-24, 2025 at the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna.
Network Support
Each INASTE member institute has 1-2 leading faculty members who represent their institute in our network. Representatives meet bi-annually: once a year in the INASTE headquarters (from 2007 – 2023 in Vienna, and as of 2024 in Stockholm), and once a year at a different member institute. Here, we, share our common questions and challenges, present our research and coordinate exchanges for both students and faculty.
OUR IMPACT
3400
Students enrolled in INASTE institutions in 2023-2024
227
Permanent faculty at INASTE Member Institutes
21
INASTE Member Institutes
5
Continents with INASTE Members
One of INASTE’s aims is to strengthen the bridges which can overcome apparent dichotomies between Waldorf pedagogy and academic science.
Empirical research has documented the effectiveness of Waldorf pedagogy, and a growing body of new scientific research in the fields of psychology, education, and neuroscience supports much of what has been practiced in Waldorf schools for over 100 years.