Sander Hilberink

Dr. Sander Hilberink serves as Professor of Ageing with lifelong disabilities at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences since 2019, leading the research group within the Research Centre Innovations in Care. His work bridges academic research and practical healthcare applications through collaborations with organizations including CP Nederland, Basalt Revalidatie, and Rutgers Expertisecentrum Seksualiteit.

Graduating with a psychology degree from Radboud University Nijmegen in 2000, he completed his PhD in 2013 with the thesis 'Smoking cessation support for COPD patients in general practice'. His academic journey evolved from initial research on benzodiazepine and nicotine dependence to specialized focus on disability citizenship and aging.

Hilberink's research centers on disability citizenship across the lifespan, examining how individuals with lifelong disabilities navigate aging while maintaining participation in society. Key projects investigate cerebral palsy aging trajectories, disability terminology evolution in Dutch media (1950-2020), and support systems for students with relatives experiencing addiction. His methodology emphasizes qualitative longitudinal approaches and scoping reviews to capture lived experiences, particularly evident in recent studies on pandemic impacts and parental disability experiences.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2022-2025) reveals three dominant trends: 1) Evolution of disability terminology in societal discourse, 2) Comorbidity patterns in cerebral palsy aging, and 3) Stress dynamics among students affected by family addiction. These intersect at the core theme of citizenship as equal partnership - a concept he champions through photovoice studies and participatory research designs.

Hilberink actively involves Rotterdam University students in his research through the 'disability and diversity' minor program, which focuses on life direction, participation, and experiential knowledge of people with disabilities. His collaborative network spans clinical partners (Rijndam Revalidatie), advocacy groups (Vereniging Gehandicaptenzorg Nederland), and academic institutions (Universiteit voor Humanistiek).

The research group operates within the Innovations in Care framework, conducting studies that directly inform vocational education curricula and healthcare practices. Current projects include 'Citizenship and aging with CP' and investigations into genetic condition perspectives on gene editing, demonstrating both continuity in disability citizenship research and expansion into emerging bioethical domains.