Economics researchers Wendy Janssens and Pierre Koning, as part of a broad consortium led by Teun Zuiderent-Jerak (VU Athena Institute), received a €3.6 million NWO-KIC grant to develop and evaluate the Barrier-Free Digital Front Door (De Drempelloze Digitale Voordeur). Part of this grant will be used for a PhD position starting in September 2027.
As access to health and social care becomes increasingly digital, there is a risk that those who have most to gain from these services face the greatest barriers to accessing them. The project aims to turn this around by developing an inclusive, ‘phygital’ approach that combines digital innovation with personal support.
Wendy, Pierre and the PhD student will conduct an impact evaluation of the project. Through a randomized control trial and with CBS microdata, they will investigate whether the intervention improves access to and use of health care and social services, reduces socioeconomic inequalities in health, and ultimately contributes to broader well-being.