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
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.
VUB launches citizen science project on safety perceptions in Brussels
New “Moment” app maps where, when and why people feel (un)safe in real time.
Patrick Deboosere interviewed on VRT Radio
The programme (in Dutch), De wereld van Sofie, focused on fertility and the desire to have children.
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".
Top photo: Alex Wasey
