Brain Bites: How diverse and inclusive are Dutch politics, really?

In this edition of Brain Bites, we explore the relationship between political life cycles and diversity in Dutch politics with political scientist Zahra Runderkamp. With more women and people with a migration background taking a seat at the decision-making table, Dutch politics has become visibly more diverse over recent decades. But visibility, or presence, is not the same as inclusion. Join us to learn something new and pick up a free sandwich during your lunch break.

In her research, Zahra Runderkamp focuses on one key question: what happens after elections? To explore this question, Runderkamp will focus on the concept of the political life cycle during this Brain Bites session, curated by SPUI25. Political careers consist of several stages, from interest and selection to election, serving in office and departure. We now know a great deal about entry into politics, but much less about how many politicians stay and how many leave. Yet understanding selective attrition—when certain groups leave more frequently or sooner than others—is crucial to determining whether diversity is sustainable.

Runderkamp will guide you through this political life cycle and show how it currently works for women. This also involves examining working conditions within politics itself. Women in politics navigate a political system that was not designed for them. For example, pregnant politicians still have to temporarily ‘resign’ to take maternity leave. Finally, Runderkamp will explore how we can work towards ‘genuine’ inclusion, beyond diversity alone.

Programme

• 12:15: Doors open
• 12:30: Programme begins, with an introduction by moderator Revka Bijl
• 12:35: Mini-lecture by Zahra Runderkamp
• 12:45: Q&A with Zahra and Revka
• 13:00: Closing

The programme is free, but please register so we can plan the catering. The event will be held in English and lasts 30 minutes.