Ruud van der Horst

Dr Ruud van der Horst is Lecturer in Forensic Care Craftsmanship (also referred to as Forensic Care Professionalism) at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, where he leads the Forensic Care Professionalism lectorate within the Knowledge Center for Healthcare Innovation. In parallel he serves as scientific advisor to the Forensic Psychiatry Expertise Center (EFP) and has long directed the Quality Forensic Care (KFZ) programme.

Education & Career:

• Social Pedagogical Care, Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen
• Sociology, University of Groningen
• PhD 2011, ICS – University of Groningen: Social interaction of TBS patients and criminal behaviour/recidivism risk

Research & Expertise:
Van der Horst focuses on the professional development and craftsmanship of practitioners in forensic mental health care. His work spans forensic sociotherapy, curriculum design for specialist master’s programmes, and evidence-based strategies to reduce recidivism among forensic psychiatric patients. He emphasises translating scientific insights into everyday clinical practice and fostering reflective, ethically grounded professionalism.

Projects & Collaboration:

• Development of a Master in Forensic Care Specialist
• Lecturers Platform Care and Safety
• Scoping Review Forensic Sociotherapy
• House of Recovery programme

These initiatives are funded by the Dutch Ministry of Justice & Security and Fivoor, and involve students, lecturer-researchers, and field professionals working together to enhance quality and safety in forensic care.