Mariska van der Horst

Mariska van der Horst is an Assistant Professor in the Sociology Department at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. She is affiliated with the 'The Social Context of Aging (SoCA)' research group. Her work focuses on labor market dynamics, particularly employment challenges for disadvantaged groups (e.g., older workers, individuals with disabilities), work-life balance, and intersections of ageism/ableism in workplaces. She also contributes to methodological advancements in social science research.

Education details are not explicitly stated, but her academic trajectory is reflected through her current position and research output. Key research interests include retirement trajectories, intergenerational caregiving, workplace health adaptations, and gender roles in employment. Recent work examines baby boomer retirement patterns and employer responses to aging workforces.

Her publications explore topics like ageism in skill development, policy narratives around retirement, and overlapping discrimination in workplaces. Notable projects include the SHAW initiative (2021-2024) investigating extended working lives. She actively participates in conferences, media engagements, and peer review activities, contributing to policy discussions on aging workforce challenges.

Grants: Led the SHAW project (Beyond the 10,000 Steps) funded from 2021-2024. No explicit mention of awards, though contributions to policy debates and academic networks highlight her impact. Collaborates internationally on aging labor studies and gender equality initiatives.

Labs/Teams: Part of the Social Context of Aging (SoCA) group, focusing on aging-related sociological research. Engages with interdisciplinary teams addressing workplace adaptation and social policy.