Dissertation award for Health Sciences research fellow
Posted on 2 February 2015
The dissertation, entitled: "The use of mixture distribution models for the optimization of repeated assessments in patient-oriented psychotherapy research and psychotherapeutic practice", looked at how to make repeated psychotherapy assessments more efficient when gauging patients' distress levels and quality of life.
In order to be eligible for the award, applicants have to have gained the highest marks in their dissertation, they also have to be recommended by their supervisors with a detailed analysis of the work itself, and work leading up to the dissertation. Finally, they then have to be selected by a committee comprised of members of faculty staff, honourable alumni and local representatives of civil society and local government.
On winning the award, Jan said: “This was a very pleasant surprise, indeed! The committee especially valued the practice-focus of my research which encourages me to keep combining quite technical work with evaluation questions in the real world”.
Jan is currently working on a research programme that addresses conceptual and methodological questions regarding the measurement of well-being and distress. Among other things, he is working on monitoring data from the "Improving Access to Psychological Therapies" programme building on his previous research engagement with psychotherapeutic services. His work extends also to the epidemiology of population well-being and social inequalities.