The endowed chair is focused on the history of social security in the Netherlands. In my research I want to focus on the role of international organizations in the formation of ideas about social security and its impact on policymaking and implementation issues in the Netherlands. But also how Dutch policymaking in this area relates to neighboring countries. In my opinion, knowledge about its history is essential when taking on the challenges social security systems are facing today. Not only because current challenges have historical parallels, but more importantly, because the past is the foundation on which new social security arrangements will be built.

With regard to education, I want to work on strengthening the bond between academia and practice: discussions about social security are not just technical. It is also about profound questions: what is fair (re)distribution? What is social security? Who is it for (and isn’t). And how did the current complex web of often contradictory insurance schemes, benefits, (fiscal) discounts and subsidies come into being? These are not only great themes for research, but also for education.