Melissa Vink is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social, Health and Organizational Psychology at Utrecht University. Her research focuses on the opportunities and tensions surrounding diversity, inclusion, and social safety in contemporary society. She examines why creating equal opportunities and inclusive work environments often proves challenging in practice, and which individual, relational, and organizational factors contribute to these complexities.

Gender, work and family

A central line of her research concerns gender, work, and family, with a particular focus on the interplay between romantic relationships and career and family decision-making. Specifically, she studies how non-traditional couples—where the woman holds a relatively higher status than her male partner—navigate societal norms around gender, work, and care, and how these dynamics differ from those in more traditional relationships. In addition, she investigates how political and societal polarization within heterosexual relationships shapes relationship dynamics and career choices, in a context where young women, on average, report more progressive views than young men. More information about this research can be found at: https://www.uu.nl/onderzoek/groups-identity-lab

Diversity, inclusion and social safety in organizations

In addition, Melissa conducts research on diversity, inclusion, and social safety policies within organizations, with a particular emphasis on how such policies are implemented and experienced by employees. She examines how organizations can create the conditions for psychosocial safety, enabling employees to feel free to be themselves and to speak up at work. In this work, she collaborates closely with, among others, the Netherlands Labour Authority and HR departments at universities. More information about this research can be found at: https://www.uu.nl/onderzoek/organisatiegedrag/sociale-veiligheid

Melissa actively collaborates with societal and organizational partners to ensure that her academic work closely aligns with current societal challenges and practical concerns.