prof. dr. A.E. (Elianne) Zijlstra
Professor
Field/Discipline
Expertise
My expertise focuses on the pedagogical significance of children’s rights and the best interests of the child in policy and decision-making. Central to my work is the question of how decisions that have an impact on children’s lives can contribute to safe development and healthy development. Best Interests of the Child (BIC) Assessments and Child Rights Impact Assessments are important methods in this work. They are used to identify and assess children’s developmental needs and interests, to inform how these interests are weighed in decision-making, and to ensure that children’s views are taken into account in decisions and policy that affect their lives. My expertise includes: migration and asylum, including residence procedures, return, and reception policies for refugee children, including unaccompanied refugee children; child protection and out-of-home placement; children exposed to chronic disasters, such as those affected by gas extraction and earthquakes in Groningen, the Netherlands.
Other positions
Head of the Post Master Programme Orthopedagoog-Generalist (BIG)
Last modified:24 September 2026 07.36 a.m.