Eva Van Belle

Eva Van Belle is a Professor of Applied Economics at Vrije Universiteit Brussel's Faculty of Economics and Business. She is affiliated with the Brussels Institute for Social and Population Studies and actively leads multiple research projects focused on labor market dynamics, ethnic discrimination, and migration studies.

Her research interests center on ethnic discrimination in labor markets, active labor market policies, and migration studies. Dr. Van Belle has made significant contributions to understanding how minority candidates anticipate discrimination when preparing for and entering the labor market, as well as examining the extent of résumé whitening practices among job applicants. Her work often employs experimental methods and large-scale survey data to uncover subtle forms of discrimination and their economic consequences.

Her publication record shows a consistent focus on labor market discrimination, with recent work examining the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on ethnic discrimination, diversity hiring practices through eye-tracking studies, and the relationship between public sector employment and income volatility. Her research spans both developed and developing economies, demonstrating a comparative perspective on labor market policies.

Dr. Van Belle serves as a principal investigator on multiple active research projects including 'Equal chances in active labour market program placements for different ethnic groups' (2024-2027), 'How do minority candidates anticipate discrimination when preparing for and entering the labor market?' (2024-2027), and the Brussels Interdisciplinary Research centre on Migration and Minorities (BIRMM) (2024-2029).

She has supervised numerous Master's theses on topics related to labor market discrimination, social inequality, and migration. Her students have explored issues such as discrimination against highly educated migrants, the impact of feminist narratives on attitudes, and the relationship between housing situations and social inequality among young adults.

Dr. Van Belle is also active in public engagement, regularly contributing expert commentary to media outlets on labor market issues, including topics like unemployment benefits for 55+ workers, employer discrimination against applicants with foreign names, and the economic impacts of job losses due to bankruptcies.