Laura Bouwman

Laura Bouwman is an Assistant Professor at Wageningen University & Research, affiliated with the Health and Society department. She joined the department in 2010 and holds a PhD in Communication Science and a Master's in Human Nutrition. Her work focuses on innovative approaches to nutrition promotion using the Salutogenic Model of Health.

Her educational background includes:

• Master's degree in Human Nutrition
• PhD in Communication Science from Wageningen University

Dr. Bouwman's research centers on understanding the origins of healthful eating and developing strategies to integrate healthy practices within daily life. She employs a salutogenic perspective, emphasizing factors that promote health rather than disease. Her work spans public health interventions, obesity prevention, and sustainable food systems, with a focus on consumer behavior and health communication.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong trend towards salutogenic approaches in nutrition, particularly in diabetes management and sustainable diets. Her projects, such as SU-EATABLE LIFE and SWITCH, target reducing carbon emissions through dietary changes and developing interventions for obesity in children. She also conducts global health research, including studies on infant feeding in Rwanda.

Dr. Bouwman actively supervises MSc students in Health and Society, guiding theses on topics like social determinants of nutrition. She is involved in multiple research projects funded by European initiatives, focusing on sustainable food systems and public health interventions.

As a member of the Health and Society group, she collaborates on interdisciplinary projects addressing health inequalities and the development of health-promoting environments. Her work extends to e-learning and community-based interventions to foster healthful eating practices.