Research
Research & projects
“Being an interdisciplinary scholar is not different from being a migrant. Neither society nor discipline embraces you fully, and each claims you belong better to the other.”
Much research happens beyond funded projects: in preparation for future work and through personal effort alongside ongoing responsibilities. The list below summarises the most prominent grant-funded projects I lead or have been part of.
Featured
CLIMB
Climate mobility and displacement, read through big data.
HumMingBird
Drivers of migration to Europe, measured from many angles.
MIrreM
Counting the people official numbers miss.
Demographic and Societal Challenges
Social sustainability and justice at Interface Demography.
Labour Market Barometer
Labour market participation by migration background in Belgium.
- SeLiS: Segregation through Space and Life — ethnic residential segregation from a longitudinal life course, intersectional and experience-based perspectiveFWO, 2024–2028 · Co-coordinator
- From Camp to Campus: Social investment in refugees and newcomers through higher educationFWO SBO, 2023–2027 · Work package leader
- DE-CONSPIRATOR: Detecting and countering information suppression from a transnational perspectiveHorizon Europe, 2023–2026 · National PI and work package leader
- CLIMB: Climate-induced migration in Africa and beyond — big data and predictive analyticsBelmont Forum, 2023–2026 · Co-coordinator
- Public engagement with and attitudes towards new technologies and AIKavli Centre for Ethics, Science and the Public, 2022–2026 · Quantitative research lead
- MIrreM: Measuring irregular migration and related policiesHorizon Europe, 2022–2025 · National PI
- Demographic and Societal Challenges of the 21st Century, stage 2Strategic Research Programme, VUB, 2022–2027 · Co-promoter
- HumMingBird: Enhanced migration measures from a multidimensional perspectiveHorizon 2020, EU, 2019–2023 · Scientific coordinator
- Barometer: People with a migration background in the Belgian labour marketKing Baudouin Foundation, 2022–2023 · Scientific coordinator
- STAT4UN: Quality and reliable statistical services for all UNICEF domainsLTAS UNICEF, 2019–2022 · Scientific coordinator
- Demographic Challenges of the 21st Century, stage 1Strategic Research Programme, VUB, 2019–2022 · Research coordinator and data manager
- Feasibility Study for a Child Guarantee for Vulnerable Children (FSCG)European Commission, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, 2018–2020 · Research fellow, migrant children expert
- InGRID-2: Integrating research infrastructure for European expertise on inclusive growth from data to policyHorizon 2020, EU, 2017–2021 · Senior research fellow, project coordination team
- Investing in Refugees: The Role of the UniversitiesVLIR Action Plan, 2017–2019 · Senior research fellow, project coordination team
- MEHOBEL: Measuring homelessness in BelgiumBRAIN-be, BELSPO, 2017–2018 · Senior research fellow
- Re-InVEST: Rebuilding an inclusive, value-based Europe of solidarity and trust through social investmentsHorizon 2020, EU, 2016–2019 · Senior research fellow, project coordination team
- CARE: Curriculum and quality analysis and impact review of European early childhood education and careFP7, EU, 2016–2017 · Senior research fellow, data and methodology
- InGRID: Inclusive growth research infrastructure diffusionEU, 2015–2016 · Senior research fellow
- Crime and Economic Factors in Turkey: A Spatial ApproachTÜBİTAK, 2014–2015 · Principal investigator
- Political Economy Determinants of Private Sector Dynamism in the ERF RegionEconomic Research Forum, 2014–2015 · Senior research fellow, data and methodology
- International Max Planck Information System for Comparative Criminal LawMax Planck Institute, 2014–2015 · Senior research fellow, data team (Turkey)
- 3 Kumbara (3 Piggy Banks): Financial literacy education for childrenDoğuş Group, 2014–2015 · Senior research fellow, measurement and assessment design
- Social Cohesion Indicators in FlandersIWT, 2007–2012 · Research fellow, project coordination team
- Caucasian Boundaries and Citizenship from BelowMax Planck Institute, 2005–2009 · Social statistician, data management and quantitative analysis
- Kinship and Social SecurityFP6, EU, 2005–2007 · Social statistician, project coordination team