An-Sofie Smetcoren

An-Sofie Smetcoren is a postdoctoral researcher and assistant professor at the Department of (Adult) Educational Science, Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Her research focuses on how urban environments influence daily life (e.g. access to services and care, access to housing) of its inhabitants and thus how processes of social inclusion and exclusion take place in different types of communities (e.g. cohousing community, Age Friendly Communities, Caring Communities, ‘Zorgzame buurten’). More specifically, she looks at how the physical (housing, urban planning) and social (relationships, networks) environment can contribute to quality of life and subjective well-being. Adjoining this, is her particular interest to engage with the experiences of and to give voice to those in vulnerable and disadvantaged situations. In previous research projects she has mainly worked ‘for’ and ‘together with’ older adults, low-income families and people with migration background by using co-creative, participatory action research approaches. Within her research she has developed a specific interest in the Brussels Capital Region. Currently she is involved in the CALICO (Care and Living in Community) project and Samen Renoveren. Furthermore, as a researcher she is also member of the Society and Ageing Research Lab.