Leen Vandevelde

Leen Vandevelde holds a Master’s degree in Adult Education Sciences (2021, VUB) and a PhD in Adult Educational Sciences (VUB) and Social Sciences (Social Work, University of Antwerp) (2026). Her doctoral research examined the reintegration of people in prison from a multidimensional and longitudinal perspective, grounded in a human rights approach. During her doctoral trajectory, she contributed to the BRuG project (2022–2024), a study commissioned by the Agency of Justice and Enforcement that investigated reintegration needs and pathways to reducing recidivism among incarcerated people.

Leen is currently a postdoctoral researcher within the ERC Starting Grant project CAGED, which investigates the existential dimensions of ageing in carceral environments (2025–2030). She primarily employs quantitative research methods, which are enriched with qualitative insights situated within the broader project framework.