Pieter Cools

Pieter Cools is a sociologist and lecturer at the Bachelor and Master in Social Work programs at AP University College and the University of Antwerp. He holds a doctorate on social innovation in the fight against poverty in Flanders and England. His research focuses on impact evaluation in social work, public participation in urban renewal, the political role of poverty associations, diversity in youth work, social justice theory, and homelessness. He collaborates with the Kenniscentrum ISOS on the Impactevaluatie Sociale Werkpraktijken project.

Education: PhD in Sociology (focus on social innovation and poverty).

Research Interests: Prioritizes practical and participatory approaches to address urban challenges, including justice and equity in aging cities, immigrant integration, and the role of social economy in poverty reduction.

Key Projects:

• Urban Renewal as a Social Practice (2020-2024): Examines resident representation in urban projects.
• SOCIAL (2022-2023): Evaluates social economy employment's impact on poverty.
• SMART-AGE (2025-2027): Focuses on sustainable mobility for aging populations.

Collaborations: Active with City Power Knowledge Center and cross-institutional teams on projects like Collective Impact and Bulgarian Diaspora Support.