Mandy van der Gaag wins the BSS Science for Society Impact Award 2019 for her research into reducing early school drop-out.

During the New Year's reception of Behavioral and Social Sciences at the University of Groningen on January 6, developmental psychologist Mandy van der Gaag received the BSS Science for Society Impact Award 2019. She received the award for the impact of her U-Can-Act research project on early school drop-out.

The results of the project, which started in 2017 with a large NRO subsidy, were picked up by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and were have informed various policy documents . Mandy van der Gaag also organized a symposium in which policymakers, professionals and scientists participated and wrote a book that will be published shortly.

The BSS Science for Society award is an initiative of the Faculty Board to reward young researchers who have been exceptionally capable of generating impact with their research. The award was presented by external jury member Thony Visser, dean of the Faculty of Arts. The jury appreciated "the commitment to solve a social problem that is still very prominent in the Netherlands." This year marks the fourth time the award was presented.

More information: www.u-can-act.nl