PhD Defence Jeroen Knevel

How can social workers foster the social inclusion of adults with a mild intellectual disability? This question is the focus of Jeroen Knevel's doctoral research. On 9 April 2025, he will defend his dissertation In the pursuit of social inclusion. Social workers fostering social inclusion of people with mild intellectual disabilities at the University of Humanistic Studies.

Jeroen Knevel investigated the question with the help of inclusive action and design research. For example, he worked on designing forms of inclusion-oriented social work in a process of co-creation with social workers and adults with a mild intellectual disability. This took place in two development workshops: one in Amsterdam North and one in Wageningen. He considers findings about generative practices, competencies and core dynamics in their added value for inclusion-oriented social work.

Jeroen Knevel is a lecturer at the Hogeschool Utrecht and is affiliated with the Participatie, Zorg en Ondersteuning (Participation, Care and Support) research group. He previously worked as a counsellor and case manager in homeless care, disability care and psychiatry. The main themes in his teaching and research are the idea of human rights, social inclusion, ethics and people with intellectual disabilities.