Regieorgaan SIA awards nine new grants for professional doctorate candidates. Iris van de Velde from HZ University of Applied Sciences is one of the nine candidates.

She is the first professional doctorate (PD) candidate from HZ. The PD candidates are trained to become highly qualified professionals capable of intervening in complex practices. This is part of a pilot project involving 25 universities of applied sciences across seven fields, with a focus on practice-oriented research.

Tourism and Health

Iris’s research focuses on the intersection of tourism and health: 'Supporting Leisure, Tourism, and Hospitality Entrepreneurs to Contribute to the Health of Local Residents'.

The number of tourists in Zeeland is high, which impacts the region's livability and quality of life. At the same time, concerns about health and well-being in Zeeland are increasing. The province aims to be a vital region where a thriving leisure sector is in balance with society and the environment.

Through her program, Iris seeks to support tourism entrepreneurs in developing initiatives that positively impact the health of local residents. Her work aligns the leisure sector with municipal policies aimed at fostering a vital region.

Learn more about the research of the other eight candidates here.