Bas Kraan on Research, Resilience, and Inclusion

When Bas Kraan looks back on his six years at Utrecht University, what comes to mind first isn’t the degrees or awards, but the joy of learning.

“I like studying. I like economics,” he says. “If you find the right things to learn, studying doesn’t have to take a lot of effort—it can even be a hobby.”

Bas graduated in 2024 with master’s degrees in Law and Economics and Economic Policy, after completing his bachelor’s in Economics and Business Economics at the Utrecht University School of Economics. A year later, he received Utrecht University’s Best Master’s Thesis Award for his research on how to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Today, he’s putting that work into practice as an economics trainee at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, where he focuses on the Participation Act and inclusive labour policy. “My work is focused on people with a distance to the labour market and the social-benefits system,” he explains. “That’s something very close to my heart—and it connects directly to what I wrote my thesis about.”

Finding Purpose in Personal Experience

That motivation is deeply personal, Bas explains. Born with glaucoma, he is visually impaired—able to see about five to ten percent with his left eye and only light and dark with his right. “With some adjustments and the help of technology, mainly my trusty iPad, I had a very enjoyable six years at the university,” he says.

When it came time to choose his thesis topic, Bas admits he hesitated. “I was talking to my dad about it,” he recalls. “I said, ‘Should I really write about this? It’s kind of typical—the guy who’s visually impaired writing about this topic.’ But it’s close to my heart, and I have a motivation to change something, to contribute in a small way to making it better.”

That decision, and the recognition that followed, became a turning point. “Winning the award was a confidence booster,” he says. “It made me think: maybe I should do something with this.”

He also finds it important to acknowledge the support he has been afforded throughout his life. “I’m in a very privileged position,” he says. “My parents have supported me with all the love in the world. They gave me the space to do what I love, and the financial means to do so — and I know not everyone has that.”

At the Opening of the Academic Year, Bas delivered a message that has stayed with many across the university: “If you give people with disabilities a chance, they will repay you 100%." He emphasised the importance that people with disabilities are not a uniform group, they’re individuals, each with their own qualities and deserve to be treated as such.

That belief in individuality and opportunity is something Bas carried throughout his studies—and it shaped the way he approached learning at Utrecht University.

Learning Across Disciplines

During his time at Utrecht, Bas took part in three Honours programmes—Descartes College, Graduate Honours Interdisciplinary Seminars, and Leadership—simply because he loved learning. “Some of my friends told me it was a little bit much,” he laughs, “but I’m interested in many things besides economics. The Honours programmes were the best way to follow those interests.”

He says those experiences gave him room to explore beyond his main field. “It was Corona times, but it was still a great moment. The people I met were very inspirational,” he says. “I made very good friends. We still keep in touch, and even went to London together last summer.”

The Honours community also broadened the way he learns and connects ideas. “I may not use everything directly in my work, but I’ve learned and heard about so many things during the sessions and lectures,” he says. “It helps you place ideas into the right boxes—it teaches you to think on a higher level.”

After years of exploring ideas across disciplines, Bas was ready to see how those insights could translate into real policy.

From Campus to Ministry

Transitioning from university to government work has been both challenging and rewarding. “At the Ministry I work with very smart and experienced people who are knowledgeable in the field,” he says, smiling. “It’s a big learning curve, but it’s a great continuation of what I was doing before.”

Bas is currently helping design a research project on inclusive hiring. “We’re setting up a questionnaire for employers about their experiences hiring people with disabilities,” he explains. “It’s very practical, more policy-minded—and really connected to what I care about.”

After six years in academia, moving into public service brought a new challenge. “At university I was in my comfort zone,” he says. “Now I’m out of it again—and that’s a good thing. It challenges me to think differently.”

That mindset, staying curious and open, continues to guide him today.

A Lifelong Learner

Even while working full time, Bas keeps learning with the same curiosity that marked his student years. He still joins the Descartes alumni book club and finds inspiration in his circle of friends and mentors. “The people I met were very inspirational. We still keep in touch. You’re the reflection of the five friends you have—and I’ve been lucky to have people who motivate me,” he says.

His message to current Honours College students is simple and sincere: “I loved my time studying at Utrecht University. Learning can be really fun. If you find the right things to learn, it doesn’t have to feel like work.”