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 survey: Hot days and green spaces in Brussels for older adults (65+)
VUB (BRISPO and COSMOPOLIS), together with Sciensano, invite older adults (65+) to share their experiences through an online survey.
Job vacancy at BRISPO: 2 full-time PhD Scholarships
The BRISPO-VUB Sustainable Work Unit is looking for 2 PhD students for a new project “Helios-VUB Chair for Mental Well-being at Work”.
A new article co-authored by Fanny D’hondt on school-level stigma and supportive relationships
The article "School Matters: A Multilevel Analysis of Stigma, Supportive Relations and Adolescents’ Mental Health Help-Seeking Attitudes" was published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence.
Postdoctoral fellowship position available in the TEMPUR project
The position is available at the Center for Demographic Research (DEMO), Louvain University.
Elsa Gallez successfully defends her PhD
The thesis was titled "Schools as Gateways to Urban Nature for All: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Children’s (In)equitable Exposure to School-Related Green and Blue Infrastructure in Brussels and Other European Cities".
New publication: Toward ‘multiplied displacement’: Theorizing at the intersections of migration and urban studies
This article reconceptualises displacement, bringing together concepts developed in urban studies and migration research and focusing on the displacement processes and experiences of internationally displaced migrants.
New comment by Francesc Baró and Elsa Gallez in "Nature Climate Change"
The comment co-authored by two BRISPO members is titled "Greening schools for climate-resilient, inclusive and liveable cities".
Opinion piece by Tulya Su Güven on the role of public spaces in migrant integration
The op-ed "More Than Work and Housing: Why Public Spaces Are Crucial for Integration" was published on BIRMM's website (in English) and in 'knack' (in Dutch).
Upcoming events
Practical info24/02/2026 - 14:00 - 24/02/2026 - 16:00European Social & Population Issues Lecture Series
24/02/2026: Loneliness measurement & prevalence | Caterina Mauri & Lima van den Steen (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
Practical info25/02/2026 - 12:30 - 25/02/2026 - 14:00BRISPO Lunch Seminar: How Language Shapes Race. Exploring the intersection of language ideology and racism
The lecture will be delivered by Dr. Sibo R. Kanobana from Open University of the Netherlands.
Practical info03/03/2026 - 14:00 - 03/03/2026 - 16:00European Social & Population Issues Lecture Series
3/03/2026: Voices from Brussels | Mariana Gonzalez Escallon (1Toit2Ages), Sally Vandenberk (Bras Dessus Bras Dessous), Nathalie Parmentier (Maison Biloba Huis)
Practical info10/03/2026 - 14:00 - 10/03/2026 - 16:00European Social & Population Issues Lecture Series
10/03/2026: Loneliness, bereavement and neighborhood characteristics | Liesbeth De Donder (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
Practical info11/03/2026 - 17:00 - 11/03/2026 - 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 info17/03/2026 - 14:00 - 17/03/2026 - 16:00European Social & Population Issues Lecture Series
17/03/2026: Loneliness, mental health & risk factors | Matija Kovacic (University of Verona)
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 info08/04/2026 - 17:00 - 08/04/2026 - 19:00
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
