Dr. Johan de Jong

Dr. Johan de Jong is Professor of Applied Sciences in Healthy Lifestyle, Sports & Physical Activity. His research focuses on healthy lifestyles and living environments.

Johan’s work centres around community-based lifestyle interventions, socio-ecological approaches, and citizen science. Within the Centre of Expertise Healthy Ageing, he leads the theme Healthy Lifestyle & Living Environment and the transition accelerator Citizen Science & Implementation. In various living labs (such as Drenthe Gezond and the Living Lab Beweegvriendelijk Vinkhuizen) he collaborates with citizens, professionals, educational institutions and businesses to develop innovative solutions for healthier environments. His extensive experience in both national and international research and education projects allows him to seamlessly link applied research with educational innovation.

Alongside his role at Hanze, Johan is also Associate Professor at the University of Groningen/University Medical Center Groningen, where he teaches and conducts research in the field of Human Movement Sciences. He actively contributes to (inter)national networks: he serves on the board of the European Network of Sport Education and represents Hanze in several networks, including the 'European Citizen Science Association/Health Work Group', 'WHO-Health Enhancing Physical Activity Europe' and 'Our Voice: Citizen Science for Health Equity Global Research Network'.

In recognition of his commitment to community-based lifestyle interventions, Johan has received the European Health Promotion Award and the Preffi Award for the best implementation project on sport and physical activity for older adults. He has published more than 75 (scientific) articles, delivered numerous presentations (see Pure and ResearchGate) and regularly serves as a reviewer for academic journals and funding bodies such as Regieorgaan SIA, ZonMw and the Dutch Heart Foundation.