Leiden, The Netherlands, 11 September 2019 – Tineke Abma, professor of Participation & Diversity at Amsterdam UMC will become director of the knowledge institute Leyden Academy of Vitality and Ageing as of 1 December 2019. She will succeed Professor Joris Slaets, who is retiring on the same date.
For over twenty-five years, Tineke Abma has been researching themes closely related to ageing, such as patient and citizen participation, long-term care, ethics and diversity. She has been working at Amsterdam UMC (formerly VUmc) since 2009; first as special professor of Client Participation in Elderly Care and later as full-time professor of Participation & Diversity. Abma is looking forward to working at Leyden Academy: “In striving to improve the quality of life of older people, Leyden Academy covers the entire spectrum from vitality to elderly care and images of ageing. The perspective of the older individual is always the starting point, with respect for every person’s uniqueness. This is also what drives me.” Abma will remain a professor in Amsterdam for one day a week.
Joris Slaets has been director of Leyden Academy since 1 January 2015. He remains connected to the institute as a researcher in the Enjoying life project. Slaets is pleased with his successor: “I see many similarities in our scientific interests and personal motivations. Valuing the differences between people, taking their point of view seriously and, if necessary, being prepared to challenge the status quo. We also share the conviction that quality lies in personal narratives and experiences. I wish Tineke all the best.”
Dr. Wim van den Goorbergh, Chairman of Leyden Academy’s Supervisory Board: “In the past five years, Joris Slaets has made an important contribution to the further development of Leyden Academy, through ambitious studies and projects focused on the well-being of older people in nursing home care. We thank Joris for his vision and leadership. We are convinced that Tineke Abma will add her own accents to Leyden Academy, based on her rich experience in participative action research in care and well-being.”
For more information, please contact Niels Bartels (communications manager) by phone: +31 (0)71 524 0960 or by email.