Maria Montessorigebouw
Maria Montessorigebouw

Research at Radboud Social Cultural Research

With our research programme ‘Changing Inequalities’, our objective is to reduce intersecting inequalities in societies by understanding the processes that lead to these inequalities.

We study inequalities based on, e.g. differences in gender, sexualities, ethnicity, SES and cultural backgrounds. Domains in which we do research include education, labour markets, family, NGO, and neighbourhoods/communities. At Radboud Social Cultural Research (RSCR), we use a broad range of methods: from classic to innovative, from quantitative to qualitative to mixed, varying from data scraping, large-scale surveys, (focus-group) interviews, to action-oriented and ethnographic methods. At RSCR, our research questions decide which methods we use. This means that we often combine methods, and also develop new methods where needed, such as stochastic actor-oriented models or arts-based methods.

Research programme: 'Changing Inequalities'

We study how people's diversities, e.g. their identities, demographic background and context, affect inequalities in their access to social, cultural, economic and natural resources and in their opportunities for education, employment and health. We study how people's engagement in (in)formal organisations and networks changes inequalities, and we analyse the factors contributing to differences within and between countries.

Research projects

Halal dating

Faith Meets Swipe

This project explores how Muslim users in the Netherlands engage with halal dating applications.

A busy street, photo shot from above

Research on Intersectionality in Policy and Interventions

Intersectionality is essential for just policymaking that ensures all citizens are recognized and supported, regardless of their background. This project focuses on analyzing and strengthening intersectional policy via participatory action research.

Ruimte van het Maria Montessorigebouw met studenten.

Doing Gender Studies amidst changing political climates

This research focuses on the experiences of Gender Studies scholars working amidst changing political climates in the Netherlands, exploring how these scholars navigate and resist the ongoing pushback against critical feminist work.

Research departments

Sociology

In the Sociology Department, we study attitudes and behaviours in mostly Western societies; we conduct quantitative research on themes such as educational inequality, inclusion processes, family formation, and lifestyles. 

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Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies

At the Department of Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies, we aim to shed light on the interaction between cultural diversity and inequality in research and education.

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Gender & Diversity

At the Gender & Diversity Studies department, we analyse how gender relates to other differences such as ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion and (dis)ability.

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Education

Research Master's programme 

The Social and Cultural Science programme combines insights from the disciplines of sociology, anthropology, development studies, political science and communication science.

Social and Cultural Science