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Event

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

Event

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

Last modified on 12-10-2026 11:54
In this edition of Brain Bites, we'll delve with political scientist Zahra Runderkamp in the connection between political life cycles and diversity in Dutch politics. With more women and citizens from migrant backgrounds now taking their places at the decision-making table, Dutch politics has become more diverse in recent decades. But visibility, or presence, is not the same as inclusion.
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Start date
05-11-2026 12:30
End date
05-11-2026 13:00
Location

University Library, the Salon

In her research, Zahra Runderkamp focuses primarily on the question: what happens after the elections? To answer that question, during this Brain Bites session curated by SPUI25External link, Runderkamp will examine the concept of the political life cycle. Political careers consist of several phases, from interest and selection to election, employment and departure. We now know a great deal about entrering politics, but far less about how many politicians remain in office and how many drop out. Yet it is precisely the understanding of selective dropouts – when certain groups drop out more frequently or more quickly – that is crucial to determining whether diversity is sustainable.

Runderkamp takes you through this political life cycle and shows how it currently works for women. This also involves the working conditions within politics itself. Women in politics navigate a political system that was not designed for them. For instance, pregnant politicians are still required to temporarily ‘resign’ in order to go on maternity leave. Runderkamp also explores how we can work towards ‘genuine’ inclusion, going beyond mere diversity.

Programme

12:15 Walk in 
12:30 Programme’s opening by Revka Bijls
12:35 Mini lecture by Zahra Runderkamp
12:45 Q&A with Zahra and Revka
13:00 End of programme

The programme is free of charge, but we do ask you to sign up due to limited capacity and catering. The event is in English and takes 30 minutes.

Zahra Runderkamp

Speakers

Zahra Runderkamp

Zahra Runderkamp completed her PhD on the political representation of gender and migration background in Dutch politics. She previously served as President of the European Youth Parliament and worked at SPUI25.

Revka Bijl

Revka Bijl

Revka Bijl is a member of the communications team of SPUI25. She studied Journalism at the School voor Journalistiek in Utrecht and Media and Culture at the University of Amsterdam. Her Dutch novel Gapen onder water was published by Nieuw Amsterdam in 2019. She is currently working on a new book, as well as working as a presenter and journalist. She also presents a morning show on Red Light Jazz Radio and is the creator of the interview podcast Beter Weten.

Events