European career award for Jojanneke van der Toorn

Social psychologist Jojanneke van der Toorn has received the Mid Career Award from the European Association of Social Psychology (EASP), one of the leading international associations in the field of social psychology. The award recognises researchers who not only excel in their own academic work, but also make a significant contribution to the development of others and to the discipline as a whole.

Van der Toorn is Professor of LGBTIQ+ Workplace Inclusion at Leiden University and Associate Professor of Social and Organisational Psychology at Utrecht University. According to the jury, she stands out for her theoretically innovative and socially relevant research on inequality, diversity and inclusion. Her work has contributed to a better understanding of how inequality emerges and is sustained within organisations and societies, how people experience inclusion policies, and how organisations can bring about lasting change.

Bridging science and society

The jury also praised her ability to build bridges between science and society. In addition to her research, Van der Toorn has built international academic networks, mentored a new generation of researchers, and developed collaborations with civil society organisations, employers and policymakers. In doing so, she has not only generated new knowledge, but also contributed to the ways in which that knowledge is put into practice.

Scientific and societal impact

The Utrecht-based researcher is delighted with the award: "What makes this award special is that it recognises both scientific achievements and contributions to the development of others. To me, this distinction shows that scientific and societal impact do not exclude one another, but can in fact reinforce each other. The interplay between science and practice is central to everything we do.”

The Dutch Inclusivity Monitor

This approach is clearly reflected in the Dutch Inclusion Monitor, a long-running research programme led by Van der Toorn in which researchers work together with organisations to gain insight into the effectiveness of diversity and inclusion policies. By combining data from dozens of organisations with insights from psychology, public administration and organisational studies, the team investigates the conditions needed for inclusion to truly succeed. An important insight from this research is that inclusion policies are only effective when they are supported at all levels of an organisation.

I also see the award as recognition of the way we work as a research group.

Recognition for collaboration

For Van der Toorn, the award also represents recognition of a research culture in which collaboration is central. “Although this is a personal award, I also see it as recognition of the way we work as a research group. Many of our most important insights emerge through collaboration with colleagues, PhD candidates, organisations and societal partners.”

The Mid-Career Award was presented on 2 July at the General Meeting of the European Association of Social Psychologyin Strasbourg. Previous recipients include some of Europe’s most distinguished social psychologists.