Nynke Boonstra’s research focuses on improving care for people with severe psychiatric conditions, making it more recovery-oriented and grounded in everyday practice. Her professorship centres on recovery-focused care, collaboration with experts by experience and the use of innovative methods in mental health settings.
Professor Healthcare & Innovation in Psychiatry
Research areas:
Her recent projects include research into recovery-supportive networks, the transition from clinical care to independent living, and the role of nurses and social workers in strengthening clients’ resilience and personal empowerment. Within these themes, both experiential expertise and family peer support play a crucial role.
Nynke obtained her PhD at the University of Groningen and worked for many years as a nurse and researcher in mental health care. She now combines her role as professor with the Chair of Nursing in Mental Health Care at UMC Utrecht and her position as Mental Health Nurse Specialist and Director of Care at KieN VIP. This unique mix of academic and practical expertise allows her to bridge the gap between research and real-world care.
The impact of her work is clear: more nurses, social workers and people with lived experience are now conducting (PhD) research into key recovery-oriented themes—helping improve the quality of care and support. Her work also contributes to policy development and promotes shared leadership across the mental health care sector.
Collaboration is at the heart of her approach. The professorship works closely with care providers, local authorities and knowledge institutes—regionally and beyond—ensuring that research outcomes are directly relevant and applicable for both professionals and policymakers.
Professorship: Healthcare & Innovation in Psychiatry
Are you crazy? No one calls you crazy anymore if you have a psychiatric disorder. Although your illness doesn’t define who you are, a psychiatric disorder can often have a huge impact on your life. That’s why mental healthcare currently focuses more on the consequences of psychiatric disorders on day-to-day life than on the clinical picture.
Projects
De Kenniswerkplaats Onbegrepen Gedrag Friesland is onderdeel van een landelijk dekkend netwerk van regionale kenniswerkplaatsen onbegrepen gedrag. In de kenniswerkplaatsen werken professionals uit het sociaal domein, zorgdomein en veiligheidsdomein samen met mensen met onbegrepen gedrag en hun naasten.
Mentale gezondheid van studenten in het hoger onderwijs komt steeds meer onder de aandacht. Universiteiten en hogescholen zijn daarom actief bezig zich te ontwikkelen om passende ondersteuning te bieden op het gebied van studentwelzijn.
Mensen die psychisch ontregelen en daardoor in de ggz terecht komen krijgen te maken met diagnostiek. Diagnostisch onderzoek biedt inzicht in de oorsprong en het verloop van klachten, de impact ervan op het leven, en het effect op het functioneren en welzijn van de hulpvrager. Diagnostiek gaat verder dan alleen symptomen en richt zich onder meer op de persoon, diens omgeving, en diens capaciteiten. Het vereist daarom een op maat gemaakte benadering voor elke individu.
In the media
'Hoe gaat het? Een vraag die vaker gesteld moet worden aan studenten' - Omrop Fryslân, 26 augustus 2025
'Anne (24) over stress onder studenten: ‘Mensen hebben veel last van schaamte’' - Leeuwarder Courant, 26 augustus 2025