Hans Grietens

Hans Grietens is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, specializing in child welfare, foster care, and child maltreatment. His work employs qualitative research methods to study decision-making in child protection systems, children's psychosocial needs, and trauma-informed interventions.

• Core Research Areas: Child welfare, foster care systems, trauma, child protection policies, qualitative methodologies
• Leadership: President of European Scientific Association on Residential and Family Care (EUSARF) since 2005

Research Trends: Recent publications focus on foster family matching, mental health outcomes in residential care, trauma-informed practices, and cross-cultural child protection policies. His studies often involve longitudinal designs and narrative analysis.

Scientific Engagement: He collaborates with institutions in Norway, France, and the U.S., and has secured grants from organizations like Stichting Kinderpostzegels Nederland and Fonds Slachtofferhulp. His work emphasizes child participation and methodological rigor in vulnerable populations.

• PhD Supervision: Mentored 13 PhD students in topics spanning sexual abuse in foster care, psychosocial interventions, historical child abuse, and policy evaluations

Teaching: Instructs courses on special education, qualitative methods, and child protection interventions at both bachelor’s and master’s levels.