Katrien Helmerhorst

Dr. Katrien Helmerhorst is an Assistant Professor at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, specializing in the Child and Family Welfare unit. She holds roles as Coordinator of the Master Orthopedagogiek and Member of the Ethics Review Chamber. Her research focuses on parenting behavior, early childcare quality, and intervention effectiveness, with a common thread analyzing sensitivity, attachment relationships, and developmental stimulation.

• Education: PhD in Child Development and Education (University of Amsterdam, 2014)
• Postdoctoral Work: First postdoc at UvA (caregiver training in vocational education), second postdoc at Erasmus University Rotterdam (socioeconomic influences on family dynamics).

Her recent projects include the 3HOEK study (funded by VIDI/ERC grants) tracking 104 Rotterdam families to examine parenting across socioeconomic backgrounds. Key research interests span observational measures of parenting, intervention program efficacy, and family systems theory.

Publications emphasize practical applications, such as evaluating caregiver training programs and analyzing pandemic impacts on parenting. She has contributed to 19 peer-reviewed articles and is an editorial board member for Early Childhood Research Quarterly.

Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals addressing quality education and reduced inequalities.