Monika Smit

Prof. Monika Smit holds the endowed chair in Psychosocial Care for Unaccompanied Minor Asylum Seekers at the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen. Her research focuses on the psychosocial needs and transition processes of unaccompanied refugee adolescents, with particular attention to social relationships, policy evaluation, and human trafficking risks. She actively contributes to interdisciplinary research and policy development in migration studies and child protection.

Key areas of expertise include asylum seeker integration, evaluation research methodologies, and the legal frameworks surrounding vulnerable youth. Her work bridges academic scholarship with practical policy implementation, emphasizing the lived experiences of marginalized populations. Recent studies explore professional support systems, post-rejection care, and long-term outcomes for displaced minors.

Prof. Smit collaborates with international researchers and institutions, co-editing works such as Unaccompanied Children: From Migration to Integration (2019). Her research often employs mixed-methods approaches, combining qualitative narratives with systematic reviews to inform evidence-based practices. Professional affiliations include the Ortho, GOK research group focused on child rights and behavioral sciences.

Her academic contributions span journal articles, edited volumes, and policy reports, addressing critical gaps in understanding the complex challenges faced by unaccompanied minors. Ongoing projects investigate agency and decision-making processes among asylum-seeking youth, alongside strategies to mitigate trafficking risks in vulnerable populations.