Dorien Graas

Dorien Graas serves as a Lecturer in Youth at Windesheim University of Applied Sciences since September 2016, affiliated with the Youth Lectorate. She advocates for “normal and engaging parenting” through her inaugural address, emphasizing restoration of healthy upbringing environments over problem-focused approaches.

Her educational background includes a history degree, secondary school teaching experience, and a doctorate from VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Psychology & Pedagogy for research on children with special needs in special education.

Dr. Graas conducts practice-oriented research in safe(r), healthier development for children and young people through collaborations with youth, parents, professionals, and institutions across education, youth care, and youth healthcare sectors. Her work prioritizes burden normalization and strengthening socio-pedagogical relationships, exemplified by the Regional Knowledge Center for Youth: Normalizing Together initiative.

Prior to her current role, she served as senior advisor to the Dutch Cabinet’s Council for Social Development and directed VU Amsterdam’s interdisciplinary Amsterdam Center for Child Studies.