معرفی
Dr. Anja Holwerda is a Researcher (PhD) affiliated with both the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences and Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of Groningen. Her primary position is as Senior Researcher at Basiseenheid Orthopedagogiek / Expertisecentrum Gezinnen met Meervoudige en Complexe problemen, focusing on work participation and support systems for vulnerable youth and families. She also leads projects at C4Youth and Kenniswerkplaats Jeugd Friesland, emphasizing collaborative practices and policy development.
Her educational background includes a PhD in Medical Sciences (2013), Master’s in Epidemiology (2012), and a degree in Social Geography with a focus on demographic and health geography. Her research spans interdisciplinary collaboration, youth care coordination, and employment support for individuals with disabilities or mental health challenges.
Key research interests include: (1) Work participation pathways for young adults with disabilities, (2) Multi-problem family interventions, (3) Interagency collaboration in healthcare, and (4) Policy development for vulnerable youth. Recent work highlights include evaluations of dialogue tables for service improvement and evidence-based practices for housing solutions.
Her publications emphasize practical applications of research, such as guidelines for family networks in complex cases and frameworks for sustainable employment support. She has contributed to over 40 peer-reviewed articles and reports, with a focus on translating research into actionable strategies for practitioners and policymakers.
Current projects involve leading initiatives like ‘Leren van Praktijkervaringen’ and ‘Maatwerk voor Kwetsbare gezinnen’, focusing on learning from field experiences and tailored support systems. She actively engages with regional stakeholders through C4Youth to bridge academic and practical knowledge gaps in youth care.
