Saskia Welschen

Saskia Welschen is a Lecturer and researcher in Urban Social Work at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, actively investigating social infrastructure dynamics in Amsterdam's urban environment with 29 publications between 2018-2024.

Her research focuses on:

• Social and Urban Social Work frameworks
• Informal Social Work ('sociaal schaduwwerk') systems
• Participation of residents with mild intellectual disabilities (LVB)
• Newcomer integration challenges in Amsterdam
• Social cohesion in working-class neighborhoods
• Social infrastructure accessibility and navigation

Recent publications reveal consistent emphasis on how vulnerable populations navigate urban social systems, with 2023-2024 works analyzing newcomer integration pathways and complex support needs for residents with mild intellectual disabilities, highlighting critical gaps in professional interventions and community infrastructure.

Scientific Awards: No scientific awards were documented in available information.

Advising and Grants: No PhD students, master's advisees, or research grants were specified in the provided materials.

Labs and Teams: Welschen is core to the Urban Social Work research group (lectoraat Stedelijk Sociaal Werk), conducting practice-oriented studies on neighborhood participation, social infrastructure, and informal support networks within Amsterdam's diverse communities.