We are happy to announce that our dear colleague dr. Thirza Andriessen successfully defended her dissertation on February 20, 2026, titled: “Caring for Dignity in Food Assistance: Navigating Norms and Moralities”.

In her dissertation Thirza studies dignity in food assistance contexts in Belgium and the Netherlands. She explores how practices within such contexts shape (and reshape) the dignity of those receiving support. Conceptualizing dignity in a relational way implies a recognition of its dynamic  character: “How it [dignity] is continuously negotiated through social relationships, interactions and broader social contexts” (Andriessen, 2026, p. 21). Furthermore, the dissertation highlights that food assistance is more than a material problem in which nutritional deficiencies of recipients are mitigated. Indeed, Thirza stresses the importance of care in food assistance.

The friendly game of academic tennis raised interesting food for thought that kept us chewing on the topics long after the formalities came to a close. For example, Thirza stressed the need for a careful, but important balancing act of meeting acute needs without reproducing the very structures that underlie food insecurity in the first place.

At the end of the defense, Thirza’s was praised with two key words that resonated with how we know her best: Someone who is bold and deeply cares about those who surround her. Congratulations Thirza on your monumental achievement! We are happy you will continue to inspire us (colleagues) and students at WUR as you continue your work with RSO.

Photos by Sven Menschel – Promotie Fotograaf | Menschel Photo | Wageningen