dr. B. (Barbara) Brink

Barbara Brink’s research contributes to the fields of public administration and policy studies, more specifically social security policy and digital governance. With a focus on the Dutch context, her research sheds light on various crucial aspects of these domains.

Recent work focusses on social security schemes, particularly those related to minimum income guarantees, with special attention for the design and rational of these programmes, the governance of these systems (including the role of governmental agencies), and the impact on individuals. By critically examining existing systems and exploring potential improvements, Barbara Brink hopes to contribute to the debate on social security.

Barbara has a special interest in the role of households in social assistance. She analyses the historical development and impact of household constraints on social assistance in the Netherlands. This research sheds light on the challenges faced by social assistance recipients and informs discussions on how to address these constraints.

Barbara Brink participated in the project 'The future of the universal welfare state: between social assistance and a guaranteed minimum income,' financed by the GAK foundation (2018-2022). The aim of the project was to explore whether a universal welfare state can contribute to a guaranteed minimum income protection. The outcomes emphasized the importance of fairness, simplicity, and future-proofing in this system. Advocating for universalism, the project highlights approaches that ensure equitable outcomes for all individuals, promoting a more inclusive and effective social security framework (see for example Naoorlogs universalisme in het huidige socialezekerheidsdebat, 2020, co-authored with G.J. Vonk).

Another domain Barbara Brink explores, is digitalisation of government. She coordinates the master Governance and law in digital society, where she also teaches the course Policy making in digital society. She explored the importance of transparency within the context of SyRI (System Risk Indication). By examining the balance between data-driven approaches and preserving transparency, Dr. Brink's research provides insights into the ethical and practical considerations of these systems (Hoe SyRI het belang van transparantie onderstreept, 2021, co-authored with T. Selbach).

Earlier work has focused on the functioning of multi-level governance, for example in her PhD thesis (Constructing the role of the city in EU multi-level governance, 2009); on discretionary powers and oversight in the context of the Youth Act (co-authored with V. M. Bex-Reimert, H. Tolsma, and W. Gerritsen), and complaints procedures in administrative law courts and higher courts (co-authored with A. T. Marseille).