The list of candidates is arranged in alphabetical order by first name.
| Candidate Name | Statement |
|---|---|
 Boris Chapoton | I work as a researcher at Jean Monnet University in France. With a background training that combines Health Psychology and Public Health, I use a Social Marketing approach in the projects I develop to change or maintain people’s behaviors for the betterment of individuals and society. More precisely, I work closely with practitioners to develop evidence-based educational programs that help adolescents critically assess tobacco and alcohol advertising content on social media while building evidence on the commercial determinants of health to inform positive societal change through policymakers. Since 2022, I have been fortunate to serve as the lead of the Early Careers (EC) of the EUSPR within the current board of directors, and I would like to pursue this mission as a chair of the board by facilitating the integration of a new EC lead within the Society. I particularly want to continue encouraging the development and promotion of EC initiatives, such as the Early Careers Forum blog, the Newsletter, and the promotion of their activities through our social media channels. Additionally, I aim to help early career professionals access training opportunities across Europe and beyond by developing collaborations with different trustworthy institutions and by encouraging our senior members to share opportunities within their networks. I would also love to see us promoting more our own opportunities to our network and to early career professionals, specifically the opportunities given through the Journal of Prevention, by the possibility of creating working groups or interest groups within EUSPR, chairing sessions at our conferences, organizing workshops or other activities we might find of interest. I want to pursue the promotion of our community so that early career professionals feel welcome and motivated to remain engaged during the early years of their careers. I believe it is crucial to nurture the sense of community we cherish during and between our conferences. Our Society has much to offer early career professionals, and they have equally valuable insights to share: we must create an environment that can transform potential into reality. These are some of the goals I would like to achieve during the next term alongside EC representatives. As such, I would be honored to bring my experience, enthusiasm, and collaborative spirit to the EUSPR board and look forward to the opportunity to support its mission. |
 Giovanni Aresi | Giovanni Aresi, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan and Cremona, Italy. I’m a researcher and professor of community health psychology. My focus is on using a participatory approach with health agencies, third sector organizations and other stakeholders to conduct research and evaluate health promotion interventions in community settings. For the past three years, I’ve been a member of the EUSPR Advisory Board, working side-by-side with elected board members. I led the local organizing committee of the 2024 conference in Cremona, Italy. In continuity with past conferences, Cremona demonstrated the vitality of our Society with +300 delegates from different disciplines presenting their work on a variety of health issues. More recently, I’ve been part of the group working with EUSPR members to develop the Society’s strategic goals. If elected, I plan to work towards achieving these strategic goals by finding practical solutions to strengthen EUSPR as an interdisciplinary community interested in advancing prevention and health promotion in a variety of health domains. One thing I believe is crucial for EUSPR is to further encourage the engagement of colleagues from non-academic contexts to bring their expertise in implementing prevention in real-life settings. I’m an active member of the Journal of Prevention (JoP), the journal of the EUSPR. I believe that the JoP provides an important platform for the Society to make the issues of prevention and health promotion more visible to a wider audience. If elected, I will contribute to strengthening the synergies between the journal and the Society (e.g. special issues related to conference topics). Finally, I believe that a vibrant community of early career colleagues is important to bring fresh ideas and ensure the long-term success of EUSPR. If elected, I plan to work with the elected early career representative on the Board to offer support for the further development of the group, to make it stronger and more able to meet the needs of early career colleagues in terms of networking, training and access to funding. |
 Inna Feldman | Recent decades have seen a surge in applying the tools of economic impact assessment in public health systems. This indicates an increasing appreciation for this relatively new field to the public health sector at all levels. As a health economist, I provide expertise in assessing the health and economic impact of different public health interventions, with a particular focus on: 1) Interventions targeting mental health problems in children and adolescents, and 2) Preventive interventions targeting lifestyle choices. I currently hold two roles, as a senior researcher and associate professor of health economics at the department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, at Uppsala University and as executive expert support at Uppsala County Council in Sweden. The purpose is to support implementation of prevention public health interventions by creating evidence on their health and economic impact, with the goal of promoting health and preventing disease. The target groups which I most often produce evidence for and collaborate with are local, regional and national decision makers within the healthcare, municipality and other societal sectors. I have experience in preparing different guidelines in public health for the Swedish Ministry of Health and Welfare as well as for Local Authorities and Regions. Additionally, my network in public health is very broad, both nationally and internationally. Being an active participant in EUSPR’s activities since 2012, I have participated in dozens of conferences, including invited speaker presentation in 2020. My interest relates to the assessment of health and economic impact of prevention and promotion interventions in public health. Building on my experience, I can firmly contribute to setting our sights on the future, in order to promote the application of health economic methods in prevention research in the European setting. In line with EUSPR’s vision, I believe that application of health economic methods in evaluation of preventive interventions can contribute to “promote the inclusion of science-based principles of prevention in policies addressing non-communicable health issues, such as obesity, psychoactive substance use, violence, crime, mental and sexual health”. I would see this as a guiding objective throughout my mandate as board member. I have extensive working experience in public health, including in the Swedish state and local health authorities, international public health committees, such as Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Mental Health Care and Research in Ukraine. My goal is to increase EUSPR’s impact on other organizations and stakeholders such as European Public Health Association (EUPHA) and the European Health Economics Association (EuHEA) through continued collaboration. |
 Karin Streimann | I completed my PhD studies in 2021 and wrote in my thesis acknowledgements: “I feel I have grown a lot since I discovered EUSPR and EUSPR Early Careers Network. I have had a chance to learn from so many great prevention scientists, policymakers and practitioners during last years’ conferences and joint projects. I was elevated to learn a domain of science exists called prevention science, which helped me to make sense of the complex field.” This assertion describes well what I have gained from EUSPR and why I feel it is time to pay it forward. I have tried to contribute to prevention science mainly in Estonia, by aiming to affect the system where prevention is planned, organized, and funded. With my team and other prevention enthusiasts we have developed Estonian interdisciplinary prevention terminology and cross-sectoral standards of evidence for preventive interventions. During my studies I completed an effectiveness study of a preventive intervention implemented in Estonia, and after that I have been involved with other intervention studies, which have developed my understanding of intervention research. I have also contributed to several European projects, where we have developed EUPC training and European prevention curriculum handbook, adapted and tested the Communities that Care Youth Survey and studied prevention systems in different countries. I see that in the future I will continue to be a change agent who advocates for prevention, high-quality prevention and prevention research. In EUSPR I would like to contribute into strengthening a network of prevention enthusiasts and supporting connections between different groups. I feel that the members have so much potential, passion and readiness to contribute. I would like to facilitate finding different ways for collaboration, so that both the newcomers as well as long-time members would have opportunities to learn, share, and contribute. I also see the importance of having cross-sectoral approach of prevention in Europe, to prevent health, social and educational problems in unified ways and having European and international organizations providing guidance for countries about prevention using similar standards. I feel that EUSPR can contribute into that. I think that EUSPR needs to continue building bridges between scientists, policymakers, practitioners and the public to encourage collaboration, common understanding and language in the prevention field. That could be one direction which might lead to the application of knowledge into practice and policymaking. I would like to contribute to that as an EUSPR Board Member or as a President Elect. I have found home in the prevention science, and I would like to keep and widen opportunities for others to feel the same. |
 Maximilian von Heyden | Dear EUSPR Members, I am honored to present my candidacy for the position of Board Member of the EUSPR for the 2025-2028 term. My career has been guided by translating scientific knowledge into real-world impact, driven by my motivation to reduce unnecessary suffering through evidence-based prevention. My Contribution to Prevention Science in Europe Since 2015, I have regularly attended the annual EUSPR conferences, which have shaped my professional development and the strategic direction of FINDER, the non-profit organization I lead as a volunteer. These gatherings have provided crucial opportunities for networking and collaborative partnerships that have advanced our prevention work. For over a decade, I have dedicated my career to advancing prevention science through research, practice, and capacity building, with a significant focus on European Commission-funded projects: • With the UPC Adapt initiative, I worked on implementing prevention training curricula across European countries. • Through Frontline Politeia, I helped bring prevention science training to substance use and crime prevention practitioners across multiple EU member states. • I have collaborated with the European Commission on child sexual abuse prevention initiatives through projects like RBYC-Adapt in partnership with Johns Hopkins University and Charité Berlin’s “Kein Täter werden” program. Additionally, through my position as research associate at Charité’s Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine, I’ve focused on developing evidence-based health communication strategies and advocating for science-based prevention policies, particularly in the area of child protection. My Vision for Supporting EUSPR’s Mission If elected to the Board, I will build on these experiences to: 1. I will leverage networks established through EU projects to strengthen cross-border collaboration and enhance knowledge exchange between researchers and practitioners across all European regions, including Eastern and Southern Europe. 2. I will focus on enhancing training frameworks by expanding the reach of prevention curricula like the EUPC, with particular attention to sustainable implementation and cultural adaptation in regions with less developed prevention infrastructure. 3. I will work to bridge science and policy by using insights from EU-wide implementation to strengthen EUSPR’s advisory capacity with European institutions and national policymakers. 4. I will advocate for strengthening translational research and evidence-based approaches in prevention science. Integrating exposome research can help understand environmental influences on health outcomes, while applying findings on Adverse Childhood Experiences allows us to address early-life determinants of wellbeing. 5. I will support early-career researchers and practitioners through mentorship opportunities and greater involvement in EUSPR activities, ensuring the field’s sustainability and innovation. My work bridges diverse disciplines including public health, social work, psychology, medicine, and education to develop comprehensive prevention approaches. This cross-disciplinary experience aligns with EUSPR’s mission, and I am committed to fostering research that translates into meaningful improvements in people’s lives. Thank you for your consideration. |
 Nick Axford | Nick Axford (University of Plymouth, UK) I am honoured to have been nominated for the position of EUSPR Board Member. I have been a member of the EUSPR for over 13 years and contributed in various ways to all annual conferences from 2012 onwards. I am strongly sympathetic to the society’s ethos and aims and believe this is reflected in my involvement to date and wider work. I have conducted research in a wide range of prevention science areas, including child maltreatment, youth crime and violence, school-based bullying and the social-emotional learning of young children. I think it is important that the EUSPR encourages and reflects a wide variety of prevention science interests. I have been a member of the Editorial Board of the EUSPR official journal, the Journal of Prevention, since 2022, and have been a member of the Evidence Panel of Xchange registry of interventions hosted by the European Union Drugs Agency since 2018. I will continue to support endeavours like these to promote high-quality prevention science dissemination and programming in Europe and further afield. I have been fortunate enough to work on several projects that promote collaboration across European countries and with prevention scientists in North America. This included being part of the European Communities that Care project, for which I led a review of programmes evaluated in European countries. At last year’s EUSPR conference I co-convened a ‘listening session’ with Pamela Buckley from the University of Colorado to gather views on the proposed new standards of evidence being developed by the US Society for Prevention Research. There is great scope for two-way transatlantic learning in the field and I will continue to support such collaborations. Among the areas I think need more attention in prevention science are (i) addressing economic determinants of youth psychosocial challenges, (ii) taking more system-orientated approaches to intervention and (iii) using a broader range of evaluation methods. I am committed to developing these areas within EUSPR, including through the involvement in annual conferences of practitioners, policy makers and service users, all of whom bring vital expertise. I have enjoyed being part of the EUSPR Board since 2019 and hope to continue serving in that capacity and so help the society develop and flourish. |
 Rachele Donini | Dear Members of the European Society for Prevention Research (EUSPR), I am writing to announce my candidacy as a board member for the upcoming EUSPR elections. As a dedicated member of EUSPR since 2014, I have had the privilege of contributing to our shared mission of advancing the science and practice of prevention. I have also dedicated my professional life to advocating for evidence-based prevention and being an important contributor to translating science into policies. I am a psychologist and psychotherapist in the Mental Health and Addiction Department based in Savona, Italy. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in both clinical and prevention fields. I have been leading the Drug Prevention Unit, where my responsibilities include drug prevention planning and implementation, project management, and European project planning. Throughout my career, I have been actively involved in several European projects funded by the European Commission that aim to improve and disseminate the science of prevention. Notable projects include the European Drug Prevention Quality Standards (EDPQS), the Universal Prevention Curriculum Adaptation (UPC-Adapt), the Analysis of Systems and Professional (ASAP) Training projects, and the Frontline Politeia project. In addition to my project work, I serve on the Advisory Board of the European Drug Agency (EUDA) to implement and disseminate the European Universal Prevention Curriculum (EUPC). The EUDA also certified me as a European Master Trainer for the EUPC. In the last five years, I have focused on training over 400 professionals on evidence-based prevention at both European and national levels. I aim to continue contributing to the field of prevention by leveraging my experience and expertise to support the EUSPR community. I am passionate about our mission and believe my background and dedication make me a good candidate for this role. I look forward to the opportunity to serve our community further and advance the science of prevention. I appreciate your consideration. |
 Rasha Abi Hana | Dear EUSPR Members, I am truly honoured to have been nominated as a candidate for the position of Board Member for the EUSPR Board of Directors for the 2025-2028 term. I am deeply committed to advancing prevention science across and am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the EUSPR’s important work. As a bridge between the Orient and Western Europe, my career has been shaped by working across diverse cultural landscapes, offering me a valuable perspective on the strengths and challenges in our field. My journey in prevention science combines both hands-on experience and rigorous academic research, starting with my role as a master trainer for the European Prevention Curriculum (EUPC) and extending to my PhD at Vrije University Amsterdam, where I am currently finalizing my research on scaling mental health services and addressing stigma. For the EUPC, I have contributed to the dissemination of evidence-based prevention approaches across cultures, delivering EUPC trainings in French in Tunisia and in Arabic in Jordan, with more of them planned. The focus group discussions we conducted on adapting prevention science to different cultural contexts, confirmed my belief that communities need to feel partner- and ownership in the prevention interventions we are advocating for. In addition to my academic and training roles, I have served as the Scientific Support Coordinator at ISSUP and have experience in working with international NGOs and UN agencies, so that I can contribute to the EUSPR’s international collaboration and advocacy tasks —both of which are essential for advancing prevention science. Having been a dedicated member for several years, I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to now actively dedicate my time and my ideas to advancing our shared goals. I see my contribution to the Board in fostering international collaboration, methodological development of culturally relevant interventions, and advocacy for evidence-based prevention practices in the countries and languages where I feel at home. I believe that my combination of cross-cultural expertise, scientific background, and hands-on experience in the field will allow me to make a meaningful contribution to EUSPR’s mission and further the Society’s impact. Thank you for considering casting a vote for me. |
 Samuel Tomczyk | Prof. Dr. Samuel Tomczyk, University of Greifswald The annual EUSPR conference and members’ meeting is at the heart of the EUSPR, as it is a unique opportunity for European (and other international) researchers, practitioners, and policy makers in the field of prevention to meet and discuss current trends, challenges and innovations and identify pathways for joint action. The EUSPR blends a very personable, open and friendly community with scientific rigor, and the scale-up of evidence-based interventions and trainings to have an impact on prevention research as well as practice. As Scientific Lead in the EUSPR Board, I would like to continue this delicate balance to reflect the state of the art in prevention science and ongoing debates in academia, but also stay relevant and open to practitioners and the public and address translational issues (e.g., through evidence-based trainings). Since 2024, for instance, we have cooperated more strongly with NGOs and community organizations in addition to a research-focused scientific committee in organizing the EUSPR conference, and I would like to continue this work and establish a community and practitioner advisory board to work in tandem with the scientific committee for future conferences. In my eyes, this is a chance to reach out to prevention communities, and make sure that the conference is beneficial to all. Furthermore, I would like to prioritize three topics as Scientific Lead: 1) foster culturally and developmentally sensitive prevention science, 2) support evidence-based, ethical translational prevention science, 3) build capabilities and capacities in early career prevention researchers and practitioners and the European prevention community to tackle current (e.g., climate action, refugee health) and future challenges (e.g., artificial intelligence, digitalization) for human health and well-being. To this end, I want to build on innovation in prevention science (e.g., regarding health equity or team science), capabilities in prevention practice (e.g., EUPC), and science communication with policy makers to strengthen the role of prevention science in Europe and beyond. |
 Zila Sanchez | I am a professor of epidemiology specialized in substance use prevention. I have led multiple studies evaluating European prevention programs in Brazil and first engaged with EUSPR in 2013 when I attended my first conference, which marked the beginning of my connection with the Society. I have authored more than 190 scientific articles published in high-quality scientific journals. Currently, I serve as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Prevention, the official journal of EUSPR, where I work to promote high-quality research and expand the Society’s international visibility. In addition to my editorial role, I coordinate research initiatives, mentor early-career scientists, and contribute to the development of evidence-based prevention strategies. As Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Prevention, I have had the privilege of working closely with researchers and practitioners dedicated to advancing prevention science in Europe. Since the journal’s launch in 2022, my focus has been on strengthening its role as a platform for high-quality research, bridging the gap between science, policy, and practice, and expanding the Society’s visibility at an international level. Joining the Board would help me connect the journal’s work with EUSPR’s goals. My role can ensure that the journal supports the Society’s priorities while also meeting the needs of the prevention science community worldwide. |