MMM (Margret) Franssen MSc

Education
I studied health sciences (both the bachelor and masters) at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. During my studies I became more and more interested in how (health) inequalities are produced and reproduced. During my studies, I focused on groups with relatively larger health differences, during my bachelor's thesis I researched breast cancer patients with a migration background and during my master's thesis I explored the care needs of transgender older people.

PhD research
As a PhD candidate I focus on the experience of poverty and interventions in poverty. I am particularly interested in how shame and stigmatization impact and shape this experience. I approach my research from the perspective of the sociology of emotions and intersectionality (in particular the convergence of gender and poverty). The research takes place in two contexts:

1. The experiences of people living in long-term and intergenerational poverty
In total, biographical interviews were conducted according to Tom Wengraf's BNIM method with 16 people who live or have lived in long-term or intergenerational poverty.

2. The experiences with two different poverty reduction interventions
Using a multi-method qualitative approach (including serial interviews, (video) observations, focus groups and audio diaries) we investigate the experiences of both users of the intervention and the professionals who carry out this intervention. In the municipality of Meppel we are conducting research into a strengths-based intervention and in Central Groningen we will investigate a project in which residents from intergenerational poverty are trained to become experts by experience. 

Societal impact
Several stakeholders are involved in the project, including the target group (people living in long-term poverty), experts-by-experience, social workers, and policymakers. These stakeholders are closely involved in the research in the municipality of Meppel and Midden-Groningen. The (preliminary) research results are disseminated to the target group via various channels, for example, via Movisie. Other partners involved are Valente, Movisie, the Reading and Writing Foundation (Stichting Lezen en Schrijven), and the Association of Dutch Food Banks (Voedselbanken Nederland) and can provide specific insights.