About BVRN

The BVRN is a network of academics at the University of Birmingham (UoB) and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) undertaking data-driven economic analyses of urban, environment, labour and migration-related topics. Since 2017, the network has developed organically based upon the common interests and complementary skills of UoB and VU academics. Its primary aim is to analyse topical and policy relevant issues for the UK and the Netherlands, often using big data. 

Following Ceren Ozgen’s move from VU to UoB via the European Commission’s Marie-Sklodowska Curie Fellowship scheme in 2016, UoB became one of only a handful of UK universities to have authorised access to Dutch administrative data. The availability of this high quality data was a catalyst to the development of the network and many UoB researchers and PhD students now benefit from its use within their research. 

A growing number of researchers from UoB and VU have published impactful research in high quality journals and continue to collaborate on joint academic papers using both Dutch and UK data, along with grant applications, and research seminars at both institutions. 

Going forward the aims of the network are to further: 

1. Facilitate knowledge exchange in a tangible way 

2. Allow access to high-quality datasets for Economics research and share accumulated experience 

3. Facilitate a supportive, encouraging and rigorous environment in which to discuss research 

4. Mobilise short term staff/PhD student exchange between Birmingham and Amsterdam 

We always welcome new ideas, perspectives and collaborators. In addition to established researchers, we are keen to inspire early career researchers and PhD students by providing them with excellent data sources for their research. 

Feel free to get in touch with Ceren Ozgen (UoB) or Hans Koster (VU) to find out more.