Roselinde van der Wiel

Dr. Roselinde van der Wiel serves as an Assistant Professor of Social Demography within the Department of Demography at the Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen. Her academic profile demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing demographic research with particular emphasis on family structures and their societal implications. As an active board member of the Dutch Demographic Society, she contributes significantly to the national demographic community.

Her research expertise centers on the intricate relationships between family complexity, migration patterns, and economic outcomes. Dr. van der Wiel has made substantial contributions to understanding how previous relationships, children from former partnerships, and repartnering influence major life transitions including cohabitation, migration decisions, and labor market participation. Her work frequently examines gender differences in these processes and employs sophisticated longitudinal methodologies to track family dynamics over time.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a cohesive research trajectory focused on the interplay between family structure and spatial mobility. A consistent theme across her work is how pre-existing family ties shape critical life decisions, with particular attention to how these dynamics vary across different social contexts and national settings. Her research increasingly incorporates cross-national comparative elements to identify universal patterns and context-specific variations.

• GUF-100 Prize (July 2016)
• NIDI-NVD thesis award (November 23, 2016)

Dr. van der Wiel plays a key role in the ERC Advanced Grant project 'Family ties that bind,' led by Clara H. Mulder, which investigates how family networks influence migration behavior and labor market outcomes. Her academic service extends to peer review activities for journals including the Journal of Family Studies, and she regularly presents her research at international conferences. Media outlets have featured her expertise on how previous relationships and children impact new romantic partnerships, demonstrating the societal relevance of her work.

As part of the Department of Demography at Groningen, she collaborates with an international network of researchers on family demography. Her research group maintains strong connections with demographic institutions across Europe and participates in various interdisciplinary initiatives examining the demographic dimensions of social change. She has organized academic events including the Symposium with valedictory lecture of Leo van Wissen in 2024, further cementing her role in the academic community.