Maartje Vermeer

Maartje Vermeer is a Teacher-Researcher and Lecturer at Avans University of Applied Sciences, specializing in healthcare and social welfare innovation through the Health Innovation Atelier in Breda (formerly GET-lab). She actively bridges education, research, and professional practice while serving in the Participatory Innovation in the Youth Landscape research group since 2019.

Her academic foundation includes a Master's in Management & Innovation in Social Organizations (2024), preceded by Social Work studies where she developed her solution-oriented approach to human behavior. Previous research engagements spanned the Active Aging and Youth, Family, and Society research groups.

Vermeer's research centers on human-centered innovation for vulnerable populations, particularly dementia care and intergenerational connections. She employs Design Thinking to develop technologies promoting independent living for elderly individuals while emphasizing target-group inclusion. Her work critically examines how participatory approaches can transform care ecosystems through projects like the (t)home of the future initiative.

As project leader of the Thematic Learning Network Young with Old, she coordinates partnerships between Avans University, Surplus, ContourdeTwern, and NAC Maatschappelijk to integrate youth-elderly dynamics into professional practice. Her methodology consistently focuses on reframing challenges as opportunities through collaborative field research with end-users.