Melissa J. Sebrechts

Melissa J. Sebrechts is a Researcher focused on sociological studies of disability, work integration, and stigma resistance. Her work examines sheltered workshops, social policies affecting people with intellectual disabilities, and transitions from day services to employment. She collaborates internationally, notably in the Netherlands and Portugal.

• Research Interests: Social Interaction in disability contexts, stigma resistance mechanisms, sheltered employment dynamics

Her recent studies include empirical work on transitioning from day services to employment ('Levensverhalen over Werk'), qualitative analyses of stigma resistance in workshops, and comparative studies between Netherlands/Portugal. Her work emphasizes ethnographic methods and participatory approaches.

Sebrechts co-led projects like 'Een onderzoek naar de stap van dagbesteding naar (beschut) werk' (2023-2025) and contributed to studies on workplace relationships. She frequently publishes in peer-reviewed journals like Sociological Review and Journal of Intellectual Disabilities.