Margreet de Looze

Dr. Margreet de Looze is an Assistant Professor in Interdisciplinary Social Science at Utrecht University's Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. Her research examines adolescent health trends across Europe and North America, with specialization in gender disparities in mental health, substance use, sexual behaviors, and digital engagement. She chairs the gender equality focus group for the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) international study and collaborates with WHO Europe on adolescent health initiatives.

Her research investigates sociocultural determinants of youth well-being, employing cross-national comparative frameworks to analyze trends in mental health, sexual behavior, substance use, and digital practices. Key themes include the impact of gender equality policies, school environments, family communication, and socioeconomic factors on adolescent development. Recent work explores pandemic-related mental health shifts and inclusive sex education models.

Publications demonstrate strong methodological focus on longitudinal survey analysis across 30+ countries, revealing consistent patterns in adolescent risk behaviors and well-being determinants. Research emphasizes practical applications for health promotion policies and educational interventions.

Awards:

• Cum Laude distinction for doctoral research on adolescent risk behaviors (2013)

She leads multiple international research consortia, including the HBSC Gender Equality Group, and maintains active collaborations with WHO Europe. Previously held positions include research roles at Queen's University (Canada), UC Berkeley (USA), and University of St Andrews (UK).