The Brussels Institute for Social and Population Studies (BRISPO) is an interdisciplinary research centre composed of sociologists, demographers, economists, psychologists, statisticians, and human geographers. Its members conduct research on the socioeconomic, cultural, and demographic dimensions of patterns of social inequality within Belgium, Europe, and beyond.
Recent news
New article “Linked lives and work-family dynamics: gendered workload, family support, and mental well-being among urban Chinese dual-earner households”
The paper by Meixuan Li, Lara Stas, Christophe Vanroelen and Deborah De Moortel was published in the International Journal for Equity in Health.
Public PhD defence of Bryan Boyle
On 23 October 2025, Bryan Boyle successfully defended his doctoral dissertation entitled "Labour of Distinction: Notebooks of an Apprentice Butler".
The hidden costs of labour flexibility
An interview by ACV Puls with Professor Christophe Vanroelen [in Dutch].
Vote for Marloes Hagenaars – Flemish PhD Cup 2025 Audience Award
Our colleague Marloes Hagenaars is one of the eight finalists of the Flemish PhD Cup 2025 – and now the public can vote for their favourite presentation!
Congratulations to Tulya and Edith for obtaining FWO PhD Fellowships!
This year, 13% of all awarded FWO PhD fellowships have been granted to researchers at the VUB.
New publication by Bert Leysen and Pieter-Paul Verhaeghe
New study found no discrimination in the CV-screening phase for governmental vacancies, except for a significant gender bias.
Marloes Hagenaars in the final round of the Flemish PhD Cup 2025
Marloes obtained her PhD in Sociology at Ghent University, and now she works as a post-doc researcher at BRISPO. Congratulations!
Jessie Gevaert (BRISPO) co-authors new article on in-work poverty and mental health
The article "The impact of in-work poverty on mental health: A cohort study of the Swedish population" has been published in Psychiatry Research.
Upcoming events
Practical info17/11/2025 - 13:00 - 25/11/2025 - 19:00By students, for students discussion
The exact date and time of the event will be determined based on a survey where students can indicate their preferred availability.
Practical info03/12/2025 - 18:00 - 03/12/2025 - 19:30Lecture by Vijay Prashad "The University in the world: anti-colonial thought and student activism in a changing global order”
Vijay Prashad is a historian, author, and executive director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, will give a lecture on the invitation of the Department of Sociology.
Practical info09/12/2025 - 12:30 - 09/12/2025 - 14:00BRISPO Lunch Seminar: Insights from a Decade of Meta Advertisement-Based Survey Recruitment
The lecture will be delivered by Dr. Steffen Pötzschke from GESIS - Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences (Mannheim, Germany).
Practical info15/12/2025 - 09:30 - 15/12/2025 - 14:00Closing meeting of the HELICON - BRAIN-be project
Unravelling the long-term and indirect health impact of the COVID-19 crisis in Belgium.
Top photo: Alex Wasey
