Current research

Intertwining and resistance: a figurational sociological study of integration conflicts in the Netherlands

The integration of newcomers in the Netherlands is one of the most vehement social issues. Yet this commotion and emotion is largely absent in common conceptions of 'integration': conflicts are usually seen as proof of their 'failure'. Historical examples, however, show that integration is not only a capricious process that takes time, but often also struggle. Moreover, conflicts come to the surface precisely when social ties expand and differences decrease relatively. Figurational sociology offers useful starting points for the study of integration as a dynamic process of interweaving, which has both social and psychic dimensions. Based on novels and other literary sources, this dissertation examines that level of experience, on the basis of four case studies in a comparative design.

Research methods

Qualitative methods, document analysis, sociology of literature (art and knowledge), sociology of emotions