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
We are hiring: 1 postdoc and 3 phd positions in the ERC project
The positions are offered within the ERC-funded project "EXPULSE – Urban Expulsion Regimes", led by Prof. Eva Swyngedouw.
New publication: Classed Taste and Regional Differentiation in Italian Food
A new article in Cultural Sociology proposes the sociogenetic fields framework, demonstrating that class-based food tastes in Italy are shaped by a historically rooted North–South divide.
New opinion pieces on racism by Pieter‑Paul Verhaeghe
Two opinion pieces (both in Dutch) address different aspects of racism. They were published recently in De Morgen and SamPol.
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.
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.
Top photo: Alex Wasey
