Keynotes

Ronny Bruffaerts

Ronny Bruffaerts

Associate Professor of Psychiatry, KU Leuven

Ronny Bruffaerts is professor of psychiatry at KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. He studied theoretical (1997) and clinical psychology (1998), is a registered psychotherapist (since 2004), and obtained a PhD in Medical Sciences (2005). He has headed the Center for Public Health Psychiatry since 2017. His main research field is psychiatric epidemiology, where the focus lies on monitoring population dynamics of mental disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Among others, he co-directs the global WMH-ICS initiative, and leads several other major epidemiological and evaluation studies on psychiatric emergencies, primary care psychology, and intensive treatment of severe mental disorders.

Ronny Bruffaerts will give a keynote on ‘Mental Health Amongst Students: Understanding the Current State of Affairs’.

Hans Schildermans

Hans Schilderman

Professor of Empirical and Practical Religious Studies, Radboud University Nijmegen

As keychairholder professor Hans Schilderman engages in conceptual and empirical research regarding empirical and practical aspects of religion. Based on his personal chair ‘religion and care’, he especially focuses on the religious significance of quality of life in various situations in which people suffer physically or mentally. As coordinator of the master ‘spiritual care’ he publishes on professionalisation issues in spiritual care.

Hans Schilderman will give a keynote on ‘The Experience of Human Flourishing’.

Anne Vandenhoeck

Anne Vandenhoeck

Assistant Professor of Health Care Chaplaincy and Diakonia, KU Leuven

Anne Vandenhoeck (Leuven, 1964) is assistant professor in pastoral care and diakonia and chair of the Academic Centre for Practical Theology at the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, KU Leuven. Her research focuses on pastoral care in several areas, especially in health care, and on practical theology and diakonia. She is a member of the Research Unit Pastoral and Empirical Theology.

Anne Vandenhoeck published several articles on spiritual and pastoral care in health care. She is the co-author of books on dementia and supervision and co-editor of books on prophetic pastoral care. She served as coordinator of the European Network for HealthCare Chaplains (ENHCC) between 2010 and 2016.

Anne Vandenhoeck will give a keynote on ‘Professional Flourishing in Chaplaincy: Lessons from Health Care Chaplaincy’.