As an associate professor, I work at the Department of Developmental Psychology at Radboud University and am affiliated with the Developmental Psychobiology Lab, the Behavioural Science Institute, and the Behavioural Science Institute. My research focuses on the combination of parenthood and work during the first 1,000 days – from conception to the second year of life.
I study key transitions during this period, such as parents’ return to work (for both mothers and fathers) after the birth of a child, and infants’ transition into childcare. These are pivotal moments that are not only crucial for families, but also for employers and society as a whole.
Alongside my academic career, I have spent 2.5 years working in practice at an organisation with a clear societal mission: promoting family-friendly workplaces. I am driven by the ambition to ensure that scientific knowledge translates into real-world practice. Through research and knowledge sharing, I aim to contribute to healthier parents, children, and work environments.
Okorn, A., van Hooff, M. L. M., Cillessen, A. H. N., & Beijers, R. (2025). Returning to work after maternity leave: A longitudinal study exploring changes in postpartum work resumption stress and its determinants. Community, Work & Family.
Okorn, A., van Hooff, M. L., Cillessen, A. H., & Beijers, R. (2025). Maternal postpartum work resumption stress: Questionnaire development and validation. Assessment, 32(3), 417-433.
Bruinhof, N., Beijers, R., Lustermans, H., & de Weerth, C. (2025). Mother–infant stress contagion? Effects of an acute maternal stressor on maternal caregiving behavior and infant cortisol and crying.
