معرفی
Prof. Petri J. C. M. Embregts is a Full Professor at Tilburg University in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, specifically affiliated with Tranzo. She occupies the Chair for People with an Intellectual Disability: Psychopathology and treatment since 2011 and founded the Academic Collaborative Center for Living with an Intellectual Disability (AWVB), which facilitates collaboration between 14 care organizations for people with an intellectual disability, the Advocacy organization for people with an intellectual disability (LFB), and Tilburg University.
Prof. Embregts' research program centers on two primary pillars: enhancing the intrinsic power of people with intellectual disabilities and their relatives through increased autonomy, choice options, and experiential expertise; and examining the training, behavior, and insights of direct support staff working with people with intellectual disabilities in both community settings and specialized care environments. Her work employs a distinctive co-creation methodology that actively involves researchers, professionals, individuals with intellectual disabilities, and their families in developing practical knowledge that bridges academic research with everyday care practice.
Analysis of Prof. Embregts' publication history reveals remarkable consistency and growth, with research output increasing from 1-3 publications annually in the early 2000s to 20-35 publications per year since 2018. Her recent work shows a strategic expansion into digital inclusion, eHealth solutions, and the application of technology in care settings, while maintaining her core focus on self-determination, restraint reduction, and community participation for people with intellectual disabilities. The interdisciplinary nature of her work spans psychology, healthcare policy, social work, and educational sciences.
Prof. Embregts holds several prestigious external appointments that demonstrate her national influence:
- Member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the National Health Care Institute, Committee Care & Cure (2022-2026)
- Member of Supervisory council (Cello) (2020-present)
- Member of Supervisory council (Centrum voor Consultatie & Expertise) (2019-present)
- Member of Committee interventions in long-term care (2014-present)
- Member of Committee on Instruments Clients Experiences (2012-present)
- Advisor for implementation of scientific knowledge in healthcare practice (2010-present)
Through the AWVB, Prof. Embregts has created a sustainable framework for knowledge exchange between academic research and practical care settings. She has developed numerous training programs for healthcare professionals with emphasis on translating research findings into practical tools for direct support staff. Her approach emphasizes communities of practice where researchers and practitioners collaborate to solve real-world challenges, ensuring that scientific knowledge directly benefits people with intellectual disabilities in their daily lives.
Prof. Embregts leads the AWVB as a dynamic research and knowledge translation hub that connects academic expertise with practical care needs. The center's unique structure brings together care organizations, advocacy groups, and researchers to develop and implement evidence-based practices through co-creation. Her team employs a distinctive methodology that positions people with intellectual disabilities as active participants and experts in research design rather than passive subjects, fundamentally changing how research is conducted in this field.
