Liesbet Goubert
Liesbet Goubert, a Full Professor of Clinical Health Psychology and chair of the Ghent Health Psychology Lab, focuses her research on understanding psychosocial mechanisms in pediatric and adult chronic pain and cancer care, with a keen interest in the patient's social environment. Currently, she leads an interdisciplinary research program examining structural and social stigma linked to chronic pain and opioid usage.
She has held leadership positions in various scientific committees and organizations, including chairing renowned international conferences like the International Symposium on Pediatric Pain (ISPP; Kuala Lumpur, 2017) and the first European Paediatric Psychology Conference (EPPC; Ghent, 2018). She has been honored with several awards, including the British Pain Society Medal for outstanding contributions to the clinical science of pain (2017), the IASP-SIG Early Career Award in Pediatric Pain (2013), the Pain Research EFIC Grünenthal Grant (EGG) Award (2006), and the Prize "Institut Belge de la Douleur-UPSA-Belgisch Pijninstituut (2003).
She is actively engaged in advocacy within scientific societies. Notably, she served as a Council member of the IASP Special Interest Group on Pain in Childhood (2018 to 2023). Additionally, she contributed as a member of the 2019 IASP/EFIC taskforce on the Global Year against pain in the most vulnerable populations. Her involvement underscores her dedication to advancing the understanding and treatment of pain on a global scale.
In addition to her academic commitments, she also contributes to patient care as a clinical psychologist in a multidisciplinary primary care setting. On a personal level, she is the mother of two (grown-up) children.
Interests
- Adult and pediatric (chronic) pain
- Stigma and chronic pain
- Opioid use
- Cancer
- Resilience
- The role of the social network surrounding the patient with chronic pain or illness (healthcare providers, parents, partners, friends, family)
- Empathy
- Psychological flexibility
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
Fleur Baert
Fleur graduated as a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology at Ghent University.
Maya Braun
Maya obtained her Master of Science in Clinical Psychology at Ghent University. After collecting experience in different areas of psychology during her student jobs, internships and theses, she joined the Health Psychology Lab of Ghent University as a doctoral student
Melissa Ceuterick
Melissa Ceuterick is a postdoctoral researcher at Ghent University
Geert Crombez
Geert Crombez is Professor of Health Psychology in the Department of Experimental-Health Psychology at Ghent University.
Lena De Bonte
Lena obtained a Master of Science in criminological sciences (2021) and sociology (2023) from Ghent University. During her Bachelor's studies, she developed a keen interest in opioid use and the related stigma
