Iddo Oberski

Dr Iddo Oberski studied Biology and did a PhD on Chimpanzee Social Behaviour. He then worked for almost 25 years in universities, doing research on education and teaching; publishing research on Steiner Waldorf education; and, in his last post at Queen Margaret University, running the MSc in Professional and Higher Education. In 2009 Iddo became disabled and retired on health grounds in 2018.

Iddo’s children attended Edinburgh Steiner School for just under five years, during which time he became involved in a study group of Rudolf Steiner’s work, led by the late Karla Kiniger.

Since then he participated in many local and international Anthroposophical events and joined the trustees of Anthroposophy in Edinburgh, helping to organise and run local events.

In 2017 he completed the Edinburgh Steiner Teacher Education Course and has since been involved in teaching on that course, and more recently in redesigning it.

Steiner Waldorf education is one of Steiner’s amazing gifts to humanity. Steiner had deep insights into the spiritual essence of the human being and designed the curriculum and teaching approach to support teachers in helping their pupils develop into moral and free individuals. We’re so lucky to have a Steiner School right here in Edinburgh.

I love how the education aims to foster young people’s holistic development, with a good balance between the cognitive, affective and physical domains. In our contemporary world of instant satisfaction, low attention span and addiction to devices and substances, we need to protect and equip young people with the ability to navigate life without losing themselves.