I am Professor at the Department of Social, Health and Organisational Psychology at Utrecht University, where I hold the chair Psychological Perspectives on Organisational Behaviour within Institutions. I was a member (2016–2021) and president (2018–2020) of De Jonge Akademie. I currently serve as chairperson of the national graduate school of social psychology, the Kurt Lewin Institute.
Focus on the psychology of (in)equality
My expertise lies in the psychology of (in)equality. I examine how stereotypes based on characteristics such as gender and ethnicity influence decision-making across different life domains. I study how people respond to group-based exclusion and how these responses can either mitigate or perpetuate inequality. My primary aim is to foster sustainable behavior change within institutions and contribute to more inclusive and equitable societies.
Although much of my research focuses on gender disparities, I also study other groups, including ethnic minorities and individuals with disabilities. I use a versatile methodological approach, combining laboratory experiments, field studies, and interviews. I also specialize in physiological methods, such as cardiovascular measures and EEG. My commitment to team science and multidisciplinary research has led to close collaborations with colleagues from sociology, economics, law, and gender studies.
I am widely known for my work on the Queen Bee phenomenon. Together with collaborators, I have challenged the idea that Queen Bee behavior is inherently “female,” showing instead that it can function as a survival strategy in organizational contexts where women are devalued. In more inclusive environments, Queen Bee responses tend to diminish, making it easier for women to attain executive positions without distancing themselves from other women.
