Sociology

Sociology in Nijmegen is characterized by quantitative research on themes such as cohesion and social inequality and thus has a wider societal relevance. The department is distinctive for its comparative approach (both historically  and cross-nationally) and is a pioneer in the systematic collection and analysis of large-scale surveys.  Further strengths are the use of state-of-the-art statistical methods, the testing of theoretically derived hypotheses, and a focus on a variety of meaningful subjects ranging from criminal careers to cultural consumption.

The department has been most innovative in the collection of primary data as in the Family Survey Dutch population (FSDP), the Netherlands’ Life course Survey (NELLS), and the Social and Cultural development in the Netherlands survey (SOCON).

of the department of Sociology Nijmegen (among others) are:

• labour market careers of men and women
• social capital and societal involvement
• parental media socialisations and its effects
• secularisation among immigrants
• abortion and fertility in cross-national perspective
• educational inequality and educational transitions
• segregation of neighbourhoods
• trends in moral attitudes and controversial opinions
• health differentiation in Europe
• assortative marriage and educational homogamy

We are a member of the Interuniversity Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology (ICS).