Youssef Azghari

Dr. Youssef Azghari is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher at Avans University of Applied Sciences in Breda, Netherlands, affiliated with the Academy for Wellbeing, Education and Health. He serves in two research groups: the Participatory Innovation in the Youth Landscape at the Centre of Expertise Perspective in Health and the Safety in Dependency Relationships at the Centre of Expertise Safety and Resilience.

His educational background includes Arabic and Communication Sciences from the University of Nijmegen, with additional studies in sociology, philosophy, and cultural anthropology. He earned his PhD in Cross-Cultural Psychology from Tilburg University in 2018 for his dissertation on Moroccan-Dutch youth participation.

A specialist in acculturation, migration, and intercultural communication, Dr. Azghari's research addresses non-Western families in social services, professional-client dynamics across cultures, and academic success factors for non-Western students. His recent work (2024) focuses on loneliness among bicultural youth and participatory public health methodologies, emphasizing practical applications through innovations like the "Intercultural Craftsmanship" digital magazine.

His 2024 publications reveal a cohesive trend examining mental health and social inclusion in multicultural contexts, particularly among young adults. By merging cultural diversity frameworks with participatory action research, his work delivers actionable tools for professionals while highlighting technology's role in combating isolation and fostering intercultural competence.

Dr. Azghari actively develops knowledge products bridging academic research and frontline practice, with contributions to journals including Sociale Vraagstukken, Proces, and Vakblad Sociaal Werk. His current Saginaw Valley State University collaboration on student loneliness demonstrates international research expansion.

Through his research groups, he cultivates practical methodologies for multicultural environments, transforming theoretical insights into training resources that enhance social work practice and institutional policies regarding diversity and safety.