Dr Jolanda Tuinstra is Professor of Social Quality at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences. Trained as a medical sociologist, she earned her PhD with research into young people’s health and the influence of their social environment. Her expertise centres on social quality, quality of life, and transdisciplinary collaboration.
Professor of Social Quality
Research areas:
Within her professorship, Jolanda explores how we can learn, work and innovate together to strengthen social quality. She addresses issues such as socio-economic security, social inclusion, cohesion and empowerment - with particular attention to the interplay between formal and informal networks.
Her approach is collaborative at its core. She connects researchers, students, lecturers and practitioners with the people whose lived experiences inform the questions under study. By working closely with residents, municipalities, welfare organisations and healthcare providers, Jolanda and her team seek to find joint answers to complex societal challenges. Together, they contribute step by step to the ongoing shift from a focus on care to one on health and wellbeing.
Jolanda is also available for interviews and background information on themes such as social quality, the role of social context in health and wellbeing, and collaboration in care and welfare networks.
Research Group: Social Quality
Human beings are social by nature. Interpersonal contact supports health and wellbeing, gives us a sense of belonging, and brings comfort and joy. At the same time, there is a continuous interaction between people and their social environment. Social quality concerns the extent to which people are able to participate in society in ways that suit them and contribute positively to their lives. The central question for the professorship is: how can we learn, research and work together to enhance social quality?
Projects
Publications
Inaugurele rede: Sociale Kwaliteit, stel je voor... [Inaugurele rede] - the University of Groningen research portal (NL)
Where do we stand with social quality in social work? Opportunities for scientific substantiation and further development of the profession - the University of Groningen research portal (NL)
Thesis: Health in adolescence: an empirical study of social inequality in health, health risk behaviour and decision making styles (ENG)
Research by J. (Jolanda) Tuinstra | Where to find us | Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
The research group in the media
The social quality approach (video) – HBO Kennisbank (NL)