GP internship

Organisation: GGD Twente – Staff department (Team Health Promotion / Public Health Research)

Location: Enschede, The Netherlands

Period of internship: Internship period: April – June (approx. 3 days per week) 2026

Master thesis: September 2026 – February 2027

Description of Assignment

GGD Twente is conducting a research project on social norms and cultural practices related to alcohol use in rural municipalities in the Twente region. Alcohol consumption is relatively high in this region and is often perceived as socially normal. The project aims to better understand these social norms and identify opportunities for prevention and policy development.

The project is carried out in collaboration with the University of Twente, municipalities, Tactus and other regional partners. Within the project, qualitative methods such as interviews, document analysis and participatory approaches are used to explore how social norms around alcohol use develop and how they might be influenced.

The internship and master thesis focus on supporting and further developing research and practice around social norms and alcohol prevention. The exact research topic will be determined together with the student, but may include one or more of the following directions:

• Conducting a literature review on social norms around alcohol use in Twente or comparable rural regions in Western Europe
• Supporting the development or refinement of participatory or qualitative research methods within the project
• Analysing how alcohol use and social norms are framed in policy documents, prevention materials or communication strategies
• Exploring ways to translate research findings into practical tools for municipalities or prevention professionals (for example a tool to assess local social norms or a communication/intervention concept)
• Further developing a practical guideline or toolkit for qualitative research within GGD Twente

 Depending on the student’s interests and the phase of the project, the student may also contribute to data collection, analysis or development of practical products such as tools, guidelines or recommendations.

 We are looking for a motivated Master student in Psychology, Health Psychology & Technology, Public Health or a related programme who:

• has an interest in public health and health behaviour
• is interested in qualitative or participatory research methods
• can work independently and proactively
• preferably speaks and writes Dutch (due to interaction with local stakeholders and documents)

We offer:

• an internship within a regional public health organisation working on a relevant societal topic
• the opportunity to combine the internship with a Master thesis
• a collaborative working environment with policy makers, researchers and prevention professionals
• the opportunity to contribute to research that directly informs policy and prevention practice. 

Information contact person:

Name: Wouter ter Brake
Email: w.terbrake@ggdtwente.nl