Three projects selected for the Prof. Andrea Evers Fund for Health, Behaviour and Society
An independent review committee has unanimously selected three projects to receive a grant from the Prof. Andrea Evers Fund for Health, Behaviour and Society. The fund, which was launched earlier this year, supports innovative inter- and transdisciplinary research in health and well-being.
The fund was established to honour Andrea’s deepest wish: the continuation of research that makes a demonstrable contribution to health, well-being and a resilient society. The funding comes from the Dutch Research Council (NWO) Stevin Prize awarded to her, supplemented by co-funding from the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences.
Researchers from the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences were invited at the end of January to submit proposals together with a partner. In total, 13 applications were received from two institutes (Psychology and Education and Child Studies). An independent committee with representatives from various disciplines assessed each submission against four criteria: academic quality and innovation; relevance to health, well-being and resilience; collaboration and interdisciplinarity; and feasibility and practicality. The selected projects are considered academically strong, feasible and impactful, and build on Andrea Evers’ work.
The following projects have been awarded funding:
Switching expectations: A vignette study of nocebo-reducing communication in biosimilar use - Pien van der Velde - €30,943
This project will use a vignette study to explore the effects of different communication components (including explanations of nocebo effects) on patient expectations. The vignettes will be developed based on input from relevant stakeholders (healthcare providers, pharmacists and patients) and communication experts. The project will be carried out in collaboration with Instituut Verantwoord Medicijngebruik, ReumaNederland and Skills4Comfort. It aims to influence national and international communication on the use of biosimilars, while minimising nocebo effects as much as possible and ensuring that the use of biologics/biosimilars remains accessible, effective and affordable.
HEART-VIBES: Innovative coaching strategies to promote sustained physical activity in cardiovascular disease through expectations, intrinsic rewards and social context - Juriena de Vries - € 40,000
The HEART VIBES project will explore how expectations (such as fear of exertion) and intrinsic rewards (enjoyment, energy and a sense of competence) can be systematically used to promote sustained physical activity in people with heart disease, and how social context can support these processes. The expected outcomes include more consistent physical activity, more positive experiences of exercise and a practical tool that can be readily applied in rehabilitation and lifestyle programmes. Partners include the FIT HEART consortium (including clinical cardiology centres, lifestyle coaches and patient organisations) and social scientists (Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, LUMC and Health Campus The Hague).
Moving towards implementation of a digital cognitive screening instrument in clinical multiple sclerosis care - Pauline Waskowiak - €39,578
This project will offer insight into the barriers to and facilitators of implementing the Multiple Screener, a recently validated digital cognitive screening tool for MS, as well as strategies to support nationwide implementation. The project will bring together an interdisciplinary team of neuropsychologists and behavioural experts in close collaboration with civil society partner Sherpa and participating MS centres. This approach will ensure both academic precision and real-life impact. The project ultimately aims to support routine cognitive screening in MS care, ensuring that cognitive symptoms are identified and treated in a timely manner.
Composition independent review committee
The review committee consists of:
- the Scientific Director of the Institute of Psychology at Leiden University (Wouter Weeda)
- the former Scientific Director of the Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, and Director of the Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland (Hanneke Hulst)
- the Director of the Leiden Bio Science Park (Esther Peters)
- the Director of the Knowledge Centre for Psychology and Economic Behaviour (Wilco van Dijk)
- the Research Director of the Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Leiden University (Annemarie Samuels, voorzitter);
- an emeritus professor with broad expertise ranging from fundamental and clinical to applied (Philip Spinhoven)