Laura Shields-Zeeman

Laura Shields-Zeeman has an extensive work experience in the field of mental health and public health. Laura currently serves as an Endowed Professor in Population Mental Health at Utrecht University since 2022. Previously, they held the position of Head of Department, Public Mental Health at Trimbos-instituut from 2020 to the present. Laura also served as the Head of the WHO Collaborating Centre Mental Health Services and Interventions over the Life-Course at Trimbos-instituut from 2020 to 2023.

Before that, Laura had roles at the University of California, San Francisco as an Affiliated Scholar from 2019 to 2021 and as a Visiting Scholar from 2018 to 2019. Laura was also a Harkness Fellow in Health Care Policy and Practice at The Commonwealth Fund from 2018 to 2019.

Additionally, Laura worked at Trimbos-instituut as a Senior Health Implementation Specialist from 2017 to 2019 and as a Project Manager and Research Associate from 2014 to 2017. Laura founded Sisu Consulting in 2014 and worked as its Founder until 2018.

Laura's earlier experience includes roles as a Research Fellow at the Center for Mental Health Law and Policy from 2011 to 2014 and as a Researcher and Lecturer at VU University Amsterdam from 2011 to 2014. Laura was also a Systematic Reviewer and Research Associate at the Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction from 2010 to 2012.

Laura has actively contributed to the field of mental health as demonstrated by their various research, teaching, and policy roles in different institutions and organizations.

Laura Shields-Zeeman completed their education with a PhD in Public Health, focusing on Mental Health, from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) in 2013. Prior to that, they earned a Master of Science in International Public Health from the same institution in 2011. Laura also has a Bachelor's degree with Honours in Psychology and International Development from Queen's University. Additionally, Laura attended The University of Edinburgh, where they studied Psychology. In 2019, they furthered their education at the University of California, San Francisco, completing a program in Human Centered Design in Healthcare.