John D. Fluke (1956)
Occupation: Professor pediatrics
Nationality: American
Why an honorary doctorate?
The VUB honoured John Fluke for his groundbreaking work in child welfare and the epidemiology of child maltreatment. He developed methods to better understand and improve decision-making in child protection, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based policy. His research has led to better protection for vulnerable children around the world and greater transparency in child welfare decisions.
“Show me the data without solid evidence, we risk making decisions that fail the very children we aim to protect.”
About his career
Fluke earned his PhD in social sciences and built an international reputation as an expert in child welfare administrative data analysis, workload & costing, and performance measurement. He has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications and co-edited key reference works such as Decision-Making and Judgment in Child Welfare and Protection (Oxford University Press) and National Systems of Child Protection (Springer). He has worked with organisations including US Health and Human Services, UNICEF, and various national child protection agencies.
Recognition
- Mark Chaffin Outstanding Research Career Achievement Award (APSAC, 2025)
- Fellow, Society for Social Work and Research (2025)
- Fulbright Specialist (2022)
- Fellow, American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare (2023)
What is an honorary doctorate?
VUB has awarded honorary doctorates every year since 1978 to personalities from the most diverse backgrounds who have made a remarkable contribution to their field and to society. From this solemn moment of recognition, they bear the honorary title of Doctor Honoris Causa of VUB.