项目介绍

2026年3月4日

This PhD project examines how misperceptions of polarisation around migration issues affect social cohesion in local communities. Focusing on neighbourhoods as everyday settings where residents encounter diversity, the project measures the gap between perceived and actual attitudes and analyses its consequences for both majority and minority residents. Through a field study in six Dutch neighbourhoods, and an intervention co-developed with local stakeholders, the project tests how correcting such misperceptions can strengthen cohesion and support more inclusive local communities.

Your job

Public debates on migration are frequently framed as confrontations between ‘pro’ and ‘anti’ positions. Such framings can undermine social cohesion by reinforcing the idea that society is deeply divided. This has been described as polarization panic: the belief that social cleavages are profound, even though empirical evidence for such divisions is limited. Perceptions of polarization are often driven by misperceptions of conflicting attitudes. People tend to overestimate the gap between their own migration attitudes and those of others, creating an exaggerated sense of societal division.

Existing research has demonstrated that these misperceptions of attitudes are widespread. However, two important gaps remain. First, we know little about what these misperceptions mean for social cohesion at the local level, specifically for trust, belonging and willingness to cooperate. It is tempting to dismiss perceptions of polarization as simply misguided or inaccurate. Yet even when they are incorrect, such perceptions can have real social consequences by shaping behaviour and intergroup relations . Second, it remains unclear how misperceptions about polarization can be corrected in ways that strengthen, rather than undermine, social cohesion.

Scope of the Project

The project focuses on neighbourhoods as everyday social environments in which residents encounter diversity and live side by side. While most existing research examines misperceptions at the national level, this project explicitly shifts attention to the local level. This is particularly relevant in the Dutch context, where polarization panic around migration often has a strong local dimension. A clear example is the heated public debate surrounding the establishment of refugee reception centres. The announcement or anticipated arrival of such a centre can function as an external shock, shaping how residents perceive the migration attitudes of others in their municipality or neighbourhood.

Neighbourhoods offer a unique opportunity to directly compare perceived and actual attitudes. This project measures what people believe their neighbours think about migration and contrasts these perceptions with neighbours’ self-reported attitudes. By linking these subjective perceptions to behavioural and contextual indicators, such as voting patterns, neighbourhood composition and participation in local initiatives, we can identify where misperceptions occur, how large the perception–reality gap is and what consequences these misperceptions have for social cohesion at the local level.

Social cohesion will be assessed using indicators including neighbourhood involvement, perceived threat from neighbours, participation in volunteer work, frequency of social contact and sense of belonging or community. In collaboration with local stakeholders, the project then develops an intervention to correct such misperceptions.

Project Deliverables

• A theoretical and empirical framework explaining how misperceptions of migration attitudes undermine social cohesion.
• An intervention co-developed with local stakeholders aimed at reducing misperceptions and strengthening social cohesion within communities.
• Practical recommendations and guidelines for municipalities, civil society organizations and policymakers on addressing misperceptions of migration attitudes and enhancing social cohesion.

This PhD project is part of the SOCION consortium. SOCION addresses a pressing challenge of our time: fragmentation in societies. Social cohesion is society’s fabric and is key to sustainable societies and citizens’ well-being. However, it is increasingly undermined by erosion and polarization between communities, factions, and groups. In this project, psychologists, social historians, demographers, philosophers, and sociologists collaborate with civic organizations to generate and integrate insights into how connections between individuals, groups, and institutions contribute to new pathways to and forms of social cohesion.

Your qualities

We are looking for someone with

• MA/MSc degree in social psychology; interest in, and ideally some familiarity with sociology
• Interest in the topic of social cohesion and in collaborating in a broad research consortium with academic and non-academic stakeholders
• Strong interest in interdisciplinary research, including analytic and theoretical dimensions
• Professional competence in English
• Competence in Dutch is a plus
• Strong methodological skills, particularly with surveys and field experiments
• Ability to organise data collection
• Proactive in engagement with stakeholders and local communities, and setting up collaborations and on-site research activities
• We look for team players who want to play an active role in an inter- and transdisciplinary research community and training programme

Our offer

• a job for 1 year, with an extension to a total of four years upon successful assessment;
• a working week of 36 – 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between € 3,059 in the first year and €3,881 in the fourth year in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is one of the leading faculties in Europe providing research and academic teaching in cultural anthropology, educational sciences, interdisciplinary social science, pedagogical sciences, psychology, and sociology. Almost 7,000 students are enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has some 1,100 faculty and staff members, all providing their individual contribution to the training and education of young talent and to the research into and finding solutions for scientific and societal issues.

The faculty is located at Utrecht Science Park near the historical city centre of Utrecht.

More information

For more information, please contact Belle Derks external link by b.derks@uu.nl.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Apply now

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, a motivation letter, a writing sample, and a transcript of your grades from your (research) master’s degree via the ‘apply now’ button.

Please note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. Our International Service Desk (ISD) can answer your questions about living in the Netherlands as international staff. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal.

•       10 – 16 April for online interviews.

•       on-site interviews between 17 – 23 April. 

Our preferred start date is 1 September 2026.

The application deadline is 1 April 2026.