Tilburg University Impact Awards 2023: The nominees

The Tilburg University Impact Awards are presented every year for three projects that create social impact in an innovative way. Tilburg University’s Knowledge Transfer Office organizes the awards, that consist of a first prize of € 4,000 and a trophy and second and third prizes to the amount of € 2,000 and € 1,000, respectively. 

See the results

Diana van Hout’s research project

This research project is aimed to improve legal assistance in tax matters to Dutch citizens of limited means. The project was started after Diana van Hout conducted research in the United States some years ago. Van Hout noticed that low-threshold independent legal guidance is available, in the shape of the Taxpayer Advocate Service, that also defends taxpayers’ interests.

When Van Hout published on this topic in 2018, this idea was taken up by various parties including politicians. At the moment, the outgoing cabinet is implementing a similar system of legal aid in the Netherlands. Furthermore, the research project has been expanded to include a large network of tax lawyers who help social organizations pro bono, via the Tax Legal Aid Support Foundation, SOFiR (Stichting Ondersteuning Fiscale Rechtshulp). As part of this effort, unique research data are collected and certain ideas can be tested on a small scale (in a ‘law lab’). The best thing about this research project for Van Hout is the collaboration with different parties who are all working towards the same goal: access to justice for everyone.

Diana van Hout: “In 1969, Tilburg University was the first in the Netherlands to set up a legal advice center (rechtswinkel) and later the first tax legal aid center (belastingwinkel). This nomination is an honor and I feel supported to continue in the Tilburg tradition to improve access to justice for the most vulnerable citizens of the Netherlands. Of course I would like to win the Impact Award 2023 to help SOFiR but I am convinced that the other research projects also have an important social impact.”

Gercoline van Beek's research project

With contribution from Dike van de Mheen and Vivienne de Vogel.

Gercoline van Beek’s  PhD research Mea culpa: The complexity of financial problems among probation clients  focused on the complexity of financial problems among probationers. The study showed that the problem of debts among this group is large, complex, and deeply rooted, strongly correlates with problems in other life domains – including education, work, housing, and mental and physical health –, hampers social rehabilitation, and increases the risk of recidivism. Both probationers and the professionals who supervise them experience many barriers with respect to addressing debts.
The study showed that early, systematic, and structural collaboration is needed to effectively address the problem of debts among probationers. The research findings were widely picked up by academia, the practice, media, and politics and have already led to important steps toward improvement.

Gercoline van Beek, Dike van de Mheen, and Vivienne de Vogel: “We see our nomination for the Tilburg University Impact Award 2023 as a vote in favor or practice-oriented research with an impact on this target group we have been working for and the professionals who have the responsible task of guiding and supporting them to the best of their ability. It strengthens us in our mission to make a difference for those who need it and often cannot help themselves because of their not infrequently vulnerable position.”

Rebecca Bogaers' research project

With contribution from prof. dr. Evelien Brouwers, dr. Elbert Geuze, prof. Jaap van Weeghel, dr. Fenna Leijten, dr. Andrea Rozema, dr. Piia Varis and prof. Dike van de Mheen.

Soldiers are professionals who are expected to be ‘mentally strong and healthy’ but they, too, can develop mental problems whereby this expectation can be a barrier for them to seeking help or discussing with a supervisor what they need to continue working.

This project was aimed at the stigma on mental problems within the Dutch Military. Two important choices that soldiers with mental problems need to make were studied: (1) The choice on whether or not to seek help for their mental health issues and (2) the choice whether or not to discuss their mental health issues with their supervisor. Both choices are expected to affect the sustainable employability and the wellbeing of the soldiers. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used for this project.

The outcomes of the project showed that there is a stigma on mental problems within the Dutch Military and that many soldiers with such problems are adversely affected by this stigma. Furthermore, the stigma was found to be a barrier to seeking help and discussing symptoms. The way in which supervisors responded to openness correlated significantly with the soldiers’ sustainable employability and wellbeing. To improve the sustainable employability of the military, it is therefore important to address the stigma around mental health issues. In addition, it is essential that supervisors are trained to better support soldiers with mental health issues.

The outcomes of this study were immediately taken up by the Dutch Military. For instance , a workshop for supervisors and an e-learning module for employees were developed and funding has been made available to further study effective destigmatizing interventions.
 

Rebecca Bogaers: “Research increasingly shows that stigma is a great problem for sustainable employability, wellbeing, and mental health. It is therefore crucial that this problem is addressed. We think it is an honor to have been nominated for the Tilburg University Impact Awards 2023 and we hope that this nomination can contribute to increasing the awareness of this important issue.”