Science and technology have the potential to provide solutions to complex societal problems, such as health inequalities and labour shortages. However, these promises often remain unfulfilled. Moreover, nearly all major challenges of our time are also a result of scientific and technological developments, Zuiderent-Jerak argues. “To harness the potential of science and technology, we must place the experiential knowledge of citizens, patients, and professionals at the heart of innovation processes”.
But how do we achieve that? And what does this mean for the way we conduct transformative research on science, technology, and society? These are the crucial questions that Teun Zuiderent-Jerak addresses in his research. In this video, he explains his research vision and approach as a professor at the Athena Institute.
Two pillars
Zuiderent-Jerak's research is built around two pillars. The first focuses on inclusive design of transformative technologies, and how these can better meet the needs of vulnerable groups. Teun examines, for example, how innovations can help homeless tuberculosis patients to take their medication as per the treatment regime, as well as how digitalisation in healthcare could reduce health inequities.
The second pillar, inclusive knowledges for transformation, revolves around unlocking the experiential knowledge of citizens, patients, and professionals. For instance, Teun and his colleagues developed a method that analyses posts on social media to integrate these in the development of medical guidelines. He is also studying how trans leaders in Colombia collectively maintain mental resilience, despite the pressures of marginalisation and violence.
Development of technologies
Treatment of homeless tuberculosis patients
10% of the homeless population in some parts of Delhi suffers from tuberculosis. Their unpredictable lives make it unfeasible to take medication regularly, even though this is an essential part of the treatment. To support these patients, a research project is being set up that combines a buddy system with digital tracking. However, tracking poses risks for homeless people: they often have valid reasons for not wanting to be monitored. Moreover, they may tend to sell expensive items. In collaboration with international partners, such as the Digital Empowerment Foundation and the Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone, Zuiderent-Jerak seeks solutions that consider these realities, ensuring that care reaches the most vulnerable patients.
Digital healthcare without exclusion
Zuiderent-Jerak also examines how digitisation in healthcare (eHealth) can help reduce health inequalities. Although digitisation promises increased efficiency, it often leads to increased inequity, especially for those with a distance to the digital world. Together with AUMC, Zuiderent-Jerak studies how eHealth technologies can be developed to ensure care becomes more accessible for marginalized communities. For his work in this field, he received the Samantha Adams Best Paper Award from the American Medical Informatics Association.
Unlocking experiential knowledge
Social media as a source for medical guidelines
In collaboration with colleagues from VU and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Zuiderent-Jerak has developed a method that uses artificial intelligence to analyse social media posts, so that these can be incorporated into the development of medical guidelines. This method has already been applied in the guideline for the treatment of scabies, making it the first infectious disease guideline to include experiential knowledge.
Mental health approaches in trans communities
Together with the Liga Salud Trans and Laura Martínez Apráez, Zuiderent-Jerak is also studying how leaders of transgender communities in Colombia strengthen their mental health, despite facing severe marginalisation and violence. This community protects its mental well-being by working together as a collective, while Western approaches to mental healthcare often fall short due to their individualizing tendencies. This approach and resilience offer valuable lessons for global discussions on strengthening mental health in vulnerable circumstances.