(Re)mapping Rotterdam

How is the field of diversity and inclusion actors in Rotterdam configured today? The main goal of this research programme is to take stock of organizations working on diversity and inclusion in Rotterdam, capture the links between these organizations, and analyze the dynamics of their interactions and relationships.  

How do we study?

Local policy-making on diversity and inclusion has significantly changed over the past years. Traditional forms of governmental steering have been complemented with more collaborative policymaking. At the same time, conceptions of societal difference have evolved. New terms have emerged and multiple dimensions of diversity and their interplay are increasingly considered. 

This project explores the manifestations of these shifts in the configuration of the local landscape of civil society actors. Methodologically, an integrated mixed methods social network analysis design enables the visualization of different kind of relations as well as an in-depth interpretation informed by actors’ own perspectives.  

How does our research make an impact?

The project contributes to theory-building on diversity and inclusion, (urban) governance, urban social movements and the urban civic sphere, but also to policymaking and civil society practices. How can diversity and inclusion work be better delineated? How can (new) collaboration on these topics (among civil society organizations, between civil society organizations and municipality, between civil society organizations and university researchers, and between municipality and university researchers) be stimulated? And how can the university (staff and students) play a role in this?  

The project does so by:

• Creating an “Alternative city map of Rotterdam” on diversity and inclusion actors - making existing actors working on diversity and inclusion visible.  

• Bringing civil society actors and researchers at the university in contact by way of Diversity and Inclusion city tours – to build contacts and connections that allow for potential future collaborations.  

• Involving Master students in the project through their thesis and recruiting current students and recent graduates as research assistants.

This project is part of the sub-theme Inclusive Cities and Diversity, within the Erasmus Initiative Vital Cities and Citizens (VCC). 

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