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 publication: Gender attitudes and desired fertility among young women in sub-Saharan Africa
The article by Juliette De Vestel and Sylvie Gadeyne titled "Evolving Gender Attitudes and Fertility Preferences: A Study of Young Women in Five Sub-Saharan African Countries" was published in Studies in Family Planning.
BRISPO Article Among Top 5 Most-Cited papers published in 2025 in "Quality of Life Research”
The review article “The social determinants of health-related quality of life among people with chronic disease: a systematic literature review” by Terhi Kangas, Sara-Lynn Milis, Katrien Vanthomme, and Hadewijch Vandenheede was published in "Quality of Life Research".
New publication: Understanding why cancer mortality differs by education level in Belgium
Socioeconomic inequalities in cancer mortality are widely recognized, but what drives them? Using nationwide Belgian data, Joachim Gotink, Freija Verdoodt and Sylvie Gadeyne show that some inequalities stem from higher cancer incidence, while others reflect differences in survival.
Opinion piece by Deborah De Moortel: “Will women adapt? Only if their jobs do too.”
The opinion piece (in Dutch) was published in Knack.
CALL FOR PAPERS - Degrees in Transition: Higher Education and Labour Market Integration of Newcomers and Refugees
Call for Papers for the Expert Workshop that will take place on 11-12 June 2026 at Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
NEW PUBLICATION: Dismantling urban sanctuary and the ‘migrant crisis’: the political economy of solidarity and providing support to asylum-seeking migrants in New York City
In this article, René Kreichauf critically engages with sanctuary policies in New York City, demonstrating how the city's recent "migrant crisis" has transformed notions and practices around sanctuary.
New book: "Socializing Inequality. Class, Culture and Cognition in Early Childhood"
Dieter Vandebroeck and Maaike Jappens are excited to present their new book co-written and co-edited with award-winning sociologist Annette Lareau.
Moment update: Media coverage and methodological insights
A look at how the Moment app is covered in the media and how it measures feelings of safety in real time.
Upcoming events
Practical info24/03/2026 - 14:00 - 24/03/2026 - 16:00European Social & Population Issues Lecture Series
24/03/2026: Loneliness among older migrants | Tineke Fokkema (Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute)
Practical info25/03/2026 - 11:00 - 25/03/2026 - 12:00Seminar with Tineke Fokkema "Photo Elicitation Interviews: Exploring Loneliness Among Turkish Older Migrants"
The Seminar will take place in Raadzaal, Pleinlaan 5, room 4.21 on the fourth floor. Free entry, no registration required.
Practical info08/04/2026 - 17:00 - 08/04/2026 - 19:00BRISPO and BIRMM's Movie Nights: "A City of Sadness"
Join us for free screenings about race, class and imperialism. Pleinlaan 5, 4th floor, Raadszaal.-
Practical info12/03/2026 - 08:00 - 15/04/2026 - 23:59
Papers submission Deadline on 15/04 - Degrees in Transition: Higher Education and Labour Market Integration of Newcomers and Refugees
Call for Papers for the Expert Workshop that will take place on 11-12 June 2026 at Vrije Universiteit Brussel. 
Practical info21/04/2026 - 14:00 - 21/04/2026 - 16:00European Social & Population Issues Lecture Series
21/04/2026: The spatial dimensions of social connectedness | Tulya Su Guven (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
Practical info28/04/2026 - 14:00 - 28/04/2026 - 16:00European Social & Population Issues Lecture Series
28/04/2026: Linking loneliness and social isolation to political participation and attitude formation | Alexander Langenkamp (Goethe University Frankfurt) -- This lecture will be only live streamed
Practical info05/05/2026 - 14:00 - 05/05/2026 - 16:00European Social & Population Issues Lecture Series
5/05/2026: Loneliness in young people | Marlies Maes (Utrecht University)BRISPO and BIRMM's Movie Nights: "L'histoire de Souleymane"
Join us for free screenings about race, class and imperialism. Pleinlaan 5, 4th floor, Raadszaal.
Top photo: Alex Wasey
