Brigit Toebes new scientific director of Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health

On the recommendation of the Board of the University of Groningen, Brigit Toebes will be the new scientific director of the Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health (AJSPH) as from 1 September 2022. Toebes, Professor of Health Law in a Global Context, will succeed Jochen Mierau, who announced his departure in February.

The AJSPH is very happy with the appointment of Toebes. Managing director Frederic van Kleef: ‘We are very pleased about the appointment of Brigit Toebes. Her national and international networks are exceptionally relevant to our societal goal of more healthy years. In addition, she has committed herself to the research and teaching initiatives of the AJSPH over the past period, to the appreciation of many fellow researchers from other faculties and institutions. With Brigit at the helm, we will chart new pathways for generating impact as a School. I am sure of it!’

Rector magnificus Cisca Wijmenga of the UG agrees: "Brigit is someone with a great deal of knowledge in her field. She has worked and researched health law all over the world and has proven her qualities for a long time. I am therefore convinced that she can live up to the ideals of the AJSPH in the field of healthy ageing."

About Brigit Toebes

In addition to her new appointment, Toebes will remain in her position as Professor at the UG Faculty of Law. In this position, she holds over 25 years of experience in national and international health law. Her work focuses, among other subjects, on the reduction of unhealthy lifestyles (smoking and unhealthy eating), the fight against infectious diseases, and the role of law in curbing health differences. Toebes is one of the founders of the Groningen Centre for Health Law, home to researchers from the faculties of Law and Medical Sciences who study interdisciplinary health and health law matters. She is also a member of the Health Council of the Netherlands, an independent scientific advisory body set up by the government and Parliament. In addition, Toebes is chair of the Dutch Association for Health Law (VGR).

Toebes is not a new face at the AJSPH. She was involved in the founding of the research network in 2018 and, because of her expertise, she regularly participates in conferences, lectures, and other gatherings. As director, she will be pivotal to the AJSPH while acting as its figurehead.

About the AJSPH

The Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health—a collaboration between the University of Groningen, the University Medical Center Groningen, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, and NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences—is the proud flag-bearer of healthy ageing in the Northern Netherlands. The AJSPH unites researchers from various disciplines to use their research, teaching, and societal collaborations to contribute towards more healthy years for everyone. During the coronavirus pandemic, for instance, the AJSPH played a crucial role in mapping out the consequences of the pandemic and bringing forth a multidisciplinary and regional perspective in the development of the coronavirus policy.