I am heading the Social Work and Social Policy research team in the Centre for Sociological Research at the KU Leuven. Our research broadly focuses on the development of European welfare states, with a focus on (1) social policy design, the implementation of policies through institutions and social interventions by social workers; (2) outcomes in terms of inequality, poverty, employment, and well-being, as well as their social legitimacy. These developments are preferably studied in relation to changing social, economic, political and cultural contexts. In our group, we also devote much attention to new challenges and risks facing contemporary welfare states, including climate change, automation and Covid-19.
Senior researchers
Junior researchers
- Lore Van Herreweghe (promoter)
- David De Smalen (co-promoter with Jan Van Bavel)
- Laure-lise Robben (co-promoter with Koen Hermans)
- Cyrille Francisco (promoter with Adeline Otto)
- Marie-Laure Mulayi (promoter with Tijs Laenen and Bart Meuleman)
- Valeria Ansaloni
- Joy Schols (promoter with Wim van Oorschot and Hans Peeters)
- Eef Gijbels (promoter with Nicky Rogge and Julie Vinck)
- Janne Petroons (promoter with Koen Hermans and Marjolijn De Wilde)
- Lien Steyaert (promoter)
- Bram Audenaert
- Joanna Geerts Danau
- Thalissa Renders
Former doctoral students
- dr. Zach Parolin
- dr. Julie Vinck
- dr. Nikolett Somogyi (co-promoter with Sarah Van de Velde)