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
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.
(Male) infertility as a social construct
Lobke Van Ryckeghem discusses in her brief write-up the social construction of (male) infertility.
Abortion trajectories in Belgium unfold
A new article co-authored by Lobke Van Ryckeghem, BRISPO Junior Researcher, was published in SSM – Qualitative Research in Health.
Marloes Hagenaars selected as finalist 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!
New article on older adults' internet use co-authored by Petrus te Braak
The article titled "Multidimensional frailty as a predictor of older adults’ internet use: moving beyond the use/non-use dichotomy " was published in 'Exploration of Digital Health Technologies'.
Opinion piece in 'knack' by Deborah de Moortel (in Dutch)
BRISPO sociologist formulates several solutions for dealing with illness in the workplace.
PhD public defense of Wanru Xu
Wanru's thesis, "Escaping the System? Chinese Middle-Class Parents Negotiating Educational Privilege in Alternative Schools", was supervised by Prof. Bram Spruyt.
New article on reconceptualising skill in EU migration policy
The article titled "Beyond Economic and Educated: Reconceptualising Skill in EU Migration Policy Through Contextual Adaptability" by Anton Neronov and Tuba Bircan was published in "International Migration".
Opinion piece in De Standaard: 'Feelings of safety in the city deserve more than indignation'
The opinion piece is based on a recent literature study conducted by Petrus te Braak and Theun Pieter van Tienoven.
Top photo: Alex Wasey
