Student award winners put people with disabilities in the spotlight

In his thesis, Bas Kraan examined how the labour market policies of 29 European countries affect the position of people with disabilities. Among other things, he concluded that wage subsidies are effective and that workplace adjustments have positive consequences. Men and people with more severe disabilities particularly benefit from this. On Monday, during the Opening of the Academic Year in the Academy Building, he was presented with a certificate and a prize of 1,500 euros. 

The jury, chaired by Professor of Innovation Sciences, Wouter Boon, praised the theoretical and methodological quality of the thesis, while also pointing out its great social importance. Equality and inclusion are under pressure in the current political climate, while not everyone has equal access to the labour market.

The winner has graduated with two Master's degrees, one in Economic Policy and another in Law & Economics. He also completed two honours programmes at the university. 

Bas is visually impaired himself. In a video for the Just Be You at UU campaign, he explained how he copes with his disability. He now works as a trainee at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment.

His thesis previously won him the Utrecht School of Economics prize and the national REmagine Award for Economics students.

The Apeldoorns Bos
Law graduate Claudia Ionita and Dutch language and literature student Pepijn de Koning were also nominated for the award. Ionita graduated cum laude with a Master's degree in Legal Research and described three future scenarios based on European market laws and the new AI Act. According to the jury, she did so in a manner that was very accessible. Claudia is now a PhD student at the Faculty of Law, Economics & Governance.

De Koning researched the evacuation of the Jewish psychiatric institution Het Apeldoorns bos during the Second World War. He concluded that all sources on this subject are based on the perspective of the nursing staff at the time. The perspective of the victims remains out of the picture.

Now an associate professor at UU, De Koning, was awarded the Ufonds Vliegenthart Prize for his graduation thesis during the Opening of the Academic Year. This prize is awarded each year to the best thesis from four alternating scientific disciplines. The prize also comes with a cash award of 1,500 euros.

Rowing Blind
The prize of greatest social impact went to “Rowing Blind”, a project by the student rowing club Triton. The club has been offering visually impaired people the opportunity to try their hand at rowing for several years. DUB showed the initiative in a video last year.

Nine students who are involved in the Utrecht branch of the nationwide initiative also received a prize of 1,500 euros on Monday. They are Raúl Dorsman, Maud Koper, Claire Damen, Philip Heukensfeldt, Roos van Zuiden, Milou Edwards, Janne Nooijen, Mette Verbrugge and Kaja Hrgota.

"Rowing Blind has demonstrated that inclusive sports projects bring people together and break down barriers," said the panel of judges, chaired by the emeritus professor of Biomedical Sciences, Dop Bär. "Their work has opened up new perspectives on what is possible when we commit ourselves to a more inclusive society."

Law graduate Philip Berghoef was also nominated for the award. For five years, he has managed the successful Instagram account Politiek Nederland, which aims to engage more young people with Dutch and European politics. The account currently has roughly 300,000 followers.