Sociologist Jessie Gevaert Wins Paul De Vroede Prize for Research on Self-Employed Workers’ Wellbeing

Groundbreaking Research on Self-Employed Workers

Gevaert’s doctoral thesis, Job Quality and Mental Wellbeing of (Solo) Self-Employed Workers, conducted under the supervision of Professor Dr Christophe Vanroelen and Dr Deborah De Moortel, sheds new light on the working conditions and mental health of self-employed workers without staff.

While self-employment is often associated with freedom and flexibility, Gevaert’s research reveals that the reality can be quite different. Self-employed individuals who depend on a single client or are pushed into self-employment out of necessity are more likely to experience stress and insecurity. Her study highlights the need to include this group in policymaking and wellbeing research.

Official Award Ceremony

The award ceremony will take place on 26 March 2025 at the VUB Etterbeek campus. The event will feature a welcome speech by Professor Dr Silvain Loccufier, a laudatory address by Professor Dr Christophe Vanroelen, and a lecture by the award winner herself.

The Scientific Support Fund

The VUB’s Scientific Support Fund provides assistance to early-career researchers and supports multidisciplinary research that may not always fit within traditional funding models. The fund encourages exploratory research and helps develop innovative ideas that benefit both science and society. Through this award, the fund underscores the importance of research with a direct societal impact – in this case, recognising the wellbeing of self-employed workers in a rapidly changing labour market.