VS
Contact

Migration · Social Networks · Welfare States

Verena
Seibel

Tenured Senior Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary Social Science at Utrecht University & Research member of the European Research Centre on Migration and Ethnic Relations (ERCOMER)

I study how migrants navigate institutions, social rights and economic uncertainty, and how social networks can provide support while also creating risks. In my work, I follow an interdisciplinary approach, connecting sociology, social policy, social psychology and political science. Methodologically, I combine survey research, register data, experiments and qualitative research. I increasingly work in co-creation, together with public and societal partners.

ERCOMER — European Research Centre on Migration and Ethnic Relations
Explore my researchUtrecht profile
Portrait of Verena Seibel on the Utrecht Science Park campusPhoto: Ed van Rijswijk

Academic community

Networks & fellowships

Chair · 2026–2027Utrecht Young Academy
Board member · since 2026Dutch Association for Migration Research (DAMR)
Member · since 2025European Research Network on Intergroup Relations and Social Networks
Instituut GAK Fellow · February–June 2024Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study
Policy Lead & board member · since 2024Assistant Professor Network Netherlands (APNet)

Current work

Research projects

Research on the mechanisms that shape migrants’ economic security, access to institutions and experiences of inequality.

2025–2030

ERC Starting Grant · PI · €1.5M

SHADOW

The shadow of migrants’ social networks

Developing a new theory of how social networks can increase migrants’ economic vulnerability through misinformation, pressure, stigma and other social-welfare deficits.

Read more
2024–2027

Netspar & Instituut GAK · co-PI · €375K

Financial vulnerability in retirement

Cumulative risks and impactful interventions

Combining register data, surveys, qualitative research and intervention design with pension-sector partners to understand and prevent financial vulnerability in later life.

Read more
2025–2029

Utrecht University Incentive Grant · co-PI · €320K

Multicultural strengths at work

Recognition, networks and labour-market entry

Examining how adolescents’ social networks shape the recognition of multicultural strengths as they move into the labour market.

Read more
2022–2026

Utrecht University PhD Fund · co-PI · €300K

Retirement preparations among migrants

A European, interdisciplinary perspective

Understanding how migration histories, welfare institutions, knowledge and attitudes shape financial and social preparations for retirement.

Read more
2024–2025

Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs · co-applicant · €250K

Muslim discrimination in the Netherlands

Cumulative and intersectional experiences

A national qualitative study of discrimination in healthcare, the labour market, education and institutional settings.

Read more
Awarded 2023

NWO Open Competition XS · PI · €50K

System knowledge and work

Why can native contacts improve employment chances?

Linking ego-centred network data to unemployed migrants’ knowledge of the Dutch labour market and their employment opportunities.

Read more

Additional Funding: ODISSEI Microdata Access Grant (2024), Institutions for Open Societies Grant (2024), UYA SpARC Profiling Project Grant (2024), GAK–NIAS Fellowship Grant (2023), LISS Panel Grant (2020), and a German National Academic Foundation doctoral scholarship (2013–2015).

Research output

Publications

Google ScholarUU profile
Peer-reviewed journal articles
2025The Strength of Weak Ties? Understanding Educational Differences in Parents’ Childcare Benefit Knowledge by Applying a Social Capital ApproachSeibel, V. & Yerkes, M.The British Journal of Sociology, 76(5), 1063–10752026Between Benefits and Burdens: Navigating the Dutch Landscape of Childcare Allowances From a Migrant PerspectiveZamanbin, M., Yerkes, M. & Seibel, V.Social Policy & Administration, 60(1), 86–992025Understanding Migrants’ Attitudes Towards State Pension: The Role of Length of Stay and Settlement IntentionMarcora, S., Seibel, V., Damman, M. & Lubbers, M.Social Policy & Administration, 59(3), 399–4152024Do Immigrants Know Less Than Natives About Cancer Screening Tests? — The Case of the NetherlandsArsenijevic, J. & Seibel, V.Journal of Migration and Health, 10, 1002582024Deservingness Perceptions Toward Refugees: A Gender PerspectiveFliethmann, A., Seibel, V. & Degen, D.Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies2023The Impact of Migrants’ Knowledge About Their Social Rights on Their Subjective Well-BeingSeibel, V.Frontiers in Political Science, 5, 10672582022Survey Research Among Older Migrants: Age-Related Differences in Contact and CooperationSeibel, V. & Haan, M.The Gerontologist, 62(6), 842–8542021Network Explanations of the Gender Gap in Migrants’ Employment Patterns: Use of Online and Offline Networks in the NetherlandsBilecen, B. & Seibel, V. (shared first authorship)Journal of Family Research2021What Do Migrants Know About Their Childcare Rights? A First Exploration in West GermanySeibel, V.Journal of International Migration and Integration2021Migrants’ and Natives’ Attitudes Toward Public Healthcare Provision in Denmark, Germany, and the NetherlandsSeibel, V. & Renema, J.International Journal of Public Opinion Research, 33(1), 118–1302020Contact to Natives Among Recent Turkish Migrants in Germany: Gender Differences and Potential ExplanationsSeibel, V.Frontiers in Sociology, 5, 602019Determinants of Migrants’ Knowledge About Their Healthcare RightsSeibel, V.Health Sociology Review, 28(2), 140–1612019Solidarity With Refugees Across Europe: A Comparative Analysis of Public Support for Helping Forced MigrantsKoos, S. & Seibel, V.European Societies, 21(5), 704–7282017Migrants’ and Natives’ Attitudes to Formal Childcare in the Netherlands, Denmark, and GermanySeibel, V. & Hedegaard, T.Children and Youth Services Review, 78, 112–1212014Over-Education Among Immigrants in Europe: The Value of Civic InvolvementGriesshaber, N. & Seibel, V. (shared first authorship)Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 40(3), 374–3982014Does Rural Origin Affect Immigrants’ Contacts With Natives? A Study of Turks in Six European CountriesLancee, B. & Seibel, V.Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 40(9), 1331–13532013Job-Search Methods Among Non-Western Immigrants in the NetherlandsSeibel, V. & van Tubergen, F.Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies, 11(3), 241–258
Book chapters & dissertation
2026The Role of Social Networks in Arranging Formal and Informal Childcare Among Migrant FamiliesSeibel, V.Handbook on International Migration and Social Networks2022Migrants and Social Policy: Shifting Research AgendasBreidahl, K. N., Hedegaard, T. F. & Seibel, V.Social Policy in Changing European Societies, pp. 265–2782022Social Networks in Ethnic Relations: New Perspectives on Integration ResearchStark, T. & Seibel, V.Migration and Ethnic Relations: Current Directions for Theory and Research, pp. 73–902022Inter-Ethnic Relationships in Social Networks and Their Effect on the Resilience of Ethnically Diverse SocietiesStark, T. H. & Seibel, V.A Research Agenda for Social Networks and Social Resilience, pp. 59–722022Welfare Chauvinism: Are Immigrants Granted Access to Welfare State Benefits?Lubbers, M. & Seibel, V.Solidarity and Social Justice in Contemporary Societies, pp. 147–1552016Over-Education of Immigrants in GermanySeibel, V.Doctoral dissertation, Humboldt University of BerlinDissertation project description
Policy, professional & public-facing publications
2026Mind the Gap: Risk and Buffer Factors Predicting Pension Adequacy in the NetherlandsSimonse, O., Seibel, V., van Veelen, J., Nijkamp, R., Kunkel, D., ter Mors, E., Yerkes, M. & van Dijk, W.Netspar Industry Paper 2026-322025Nationaal onderzoek moslimdiscriminatieCuba, S., van Dijk, L., Di Stasio, V., Lazëri, M., Martinovic, B., Seibel, V., Sprong, S., Velseboer, J. & Witvliet, M.Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment2025Migranten missen kennis over de Nederlandse gezondheidszorgSeibel, V. & Arsenijevic, J.Sociaal Bestek, 25(2)2025Hoeveel bewijs is genoeg om te erkennen dat moslimdiscriminatie een probleem is in Nederland?Di Stasio, V., Martinovic, B., Seibel, V. & Sprong, S.Stuk Rood Vlees2025Promotion Under Recognition and RewardsSeibel, V., Koren, G., Swinkels, M. & Fresia, C.Utrecht Young Academy2022Knowledge and Perception of Health InsuranceSeibel, V. & Arsenijevic, J.Policy brief2022Barriers to Dutch HealthcareSeibel, V. & Arsenijevic, J.Policy brief2022On the Road to a New Childcare System: Barriers to the Use of ChildcareSeibel, V. & Yerkes, M.Utrecht University policy brief2019Wat Weten Migranten Over Hun Gezondheidsrechten?Seibel, V.Mens & Maatschappij: In de etalage, 94(3)2018Gender Differences in Knowledge About Healthcare Eligibility Among Migrants in Denmark, the Netherlands, and GermanySeibel, V.NORFACE Welfare State Futures working paper
Datasets
2025Strength of Weak TiesSeibel, V.LISS Panel dataset2023Barriers to HealthcareSeibel, V. & Arsenijevic, J.LISS Panel datasetArticle using the dataset2022Barriers to ChildcareSeibel, V. & Yerkes, M.LISS Panel dataset2018MIFARE Study — Migrants’ Welfare State AttitudesBekhuis, H., Hedegaard, T., Seibel, V., Degen, D. & Renema, J.DANS dataset

Institutional responsibilities

Policy & public engagement

  • National study presentationMuslim discrimination · Ministry of the Interior · 2025
  • Roundtable chairDiscrimination against Muslims in healthcare · 2025
  • Expert presentationSystem knowledge and access to social security · Ministry of Justice · 2024
  • Panel discussantHealthcare barriers for undocumented migrants · 2025
  • Academic consultationCapacity to act · Ministry of Justice and SCP · 2023

Leadership development

Senior Qualification in Research · 2024–2025Research Leadership Programme · 2024–2025

Teaching & supervision

University Teaching Qualification · 2021
  • Co-developmentInterdisciplinaire Leerlijn ISW
  • Co-development · Utrecht University-wideCACTUS Tool — Cultivating Awareness and Critical Thinking in Undergraduate Students
  • PhD Mentor · Sociology, Utrecht UniversityICS Graduate School

I coordinate and teach across Research Master’s, Master’s and Bachelor’s programmes. My teaching connects migration, welfare institutions, social networks and applied research design.

  • Admissions CoordinatorResearch Master’s in Migration, Ethnic Relations and Multiculturalism (MERM)
  • CoordinatorHonours Programme, ISW · Honours Council Coordinator
  • Coordinator · Research Master’sAn Institutional Rights Perspective on Inclusion
  • Coordinator · Bachelor’sMigrants and Integration
  • Coordinator · University College UtrechtIntroduction to Sociology of Migration and Integration