I am professor of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Workplace Inclusion at Leiden University, and associate professor of social and organizational psychology at Utrecht University.
I study diversity and inclusion at work, in particular with regard to LGBT+ employees. On the one hand, I focus on organizational programs and practices: what are blindspots in diversity and inclusion policy, what is their influence on job seekers, employees and organizations as a whole, and in which way can these patterns be broken? On the other hand, I examine the psychological processes through which majority and minority group members contribute to the maintenance of group-based inequalities at work and in society.
In my work, I make a concerted effort to bridge science and society with the aim of contributing to effective and evidence-based diversity policy. To this end, my colleagues and I have developed the Netherlands Inclusivity Monitor, which aims to (1) diagnose the effectiveness of an organization’s diversity and inclusion policies, (2) compare the organization’s score with a benchmark score derived from other participating organizations, and (3) provide concrete and evidence-based suggestions for improvement. In addition, I consult organizations and the government on the topic of diversity and inclusion, and lead an executive masterclass on effective D&I policy.
I also collaborate closely with Workplace Pride, the International Platform for LGBTIQ+ inclusion at work, InclusieNL, and Diversity at Work.
Highlights:
Synergy between science and practice
In 2023, we published yet another practical handout with recommendations for D&I professionals in organizations, this time focusing on the value and concrete implementation of exit interviews towards deepening organizational D&I policy. For other insights and recommendations, see our project page.
LGBTIQ+ Workplace Inclusion Symposium
Unlock the power of inclusivity at this year’s LGBTIQ+ Workplace Inclusion Symposium, featuring keynote presentations by dr. Teri Kirby (Purdue University, USA) and myself delving into the latest cutting-edge research on LGBTIQ+ inclusion as well as a panel including D&I professionals from the public and private sector.
Improve D&I policy by focusing on best methods
In developing diversity and inclusion policy, HR-policymakers often copy the best practices of other organizations. But is this strategy effective? We propose a different, more systematic method for policymakers to apply to their policy. Learn about it here or download our practical handouts here.
Photo credit: Ed van Rijswijk
Op-eds, Podcasts & Blogs:
Van der Toorn, J. (March 20 2023)
Exitgesprek: De waarde voor verdieping van diversiteits- en inclusiebeleid
BNR Werkprofessor Podcast
Van der Toorn, J., & Kolman, M. (2021) LHBTI’ers worden op het werk niet gelijk behandeld, al denken we van wel. Dutch Financial Times, May 16, 2021
Meral, E. O., & Van der Toorn, J. (2021). LGBTIQ+ Employee Resource Groups: What does the science say? New Horizons Online, March 9, 2021.
Kolman, M., & Van der Toorn, J. (2021). Genderkloof in de wetenschap verdwijnt niet vanzelf. Parool, January 10, 2021.
Liekefett, L., & Van der Toorn, J. (2018). “Someone like me can be successful, too!” Why we need more LGBT role models in the workplace. Leiden Psychology Blog, November 19, 2018.
Van der Toorn, J. (2018). Heteronormativiteit belemmert inclusie LHBTs op het werk. Sociale Vraagstukken, May 11 2018. Link
Selected publications
Morgenroth, T., Van der Toorn, J., Pliskin, R., & McMahon, C. E. (2024). Gender nonconformity leads to identity denial for cisgender and transgender individuals. Social Psychology and Personality Science. Link
Suppes, A., Van der Toorn, J., & Begeny, C. (2021). Unhealthy closets. Why concealing sexual minority status exacerbates poor mental and physical health. Social Science & Medicine. Open access
Jansen, W. S., Kröger, C., & Van der Toorn, J. (2021). The right thing to do or the smart thing to do? How communicating moral or business motives for diversity affects the employment image of Dutch public and private sector organizations. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 51, 746-759. Open access
Moss-Racusin, C. A., Pietri, E. S., Van der Toorn, J., Ashburn-Nardo, L. (2021). Boosting the sustainable representation of women in STEM with evidence-based policy initiatives. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 8, 50-58. Link
Van der Toorn, J., Veldhuizen, M., & Kulk, S. (2021). Researching the tension between privacy and inclusion in organizations: Promises and pitfalls of a transdisciplinary approach. Tijdschrift voor Genderstudies, 24, 53-63. Open access
Van der Toorn, J., Pliskin, R., & Morgenroth, T. (2020). Not quite over the rainbow: The unrelenting and insidious nature of heteronormative ideology. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 34C, 160-165. Open access
Van der Toorn, J. (2019). Naar een inclusieve werkvloer: Seksuele oriëntatie en genderidentiteit op het werk. [Toward an inclusive workplace: Sexual orientation and gender identity at work.] Gedrag & Organisatie, 32, 162-180.
Şahin, O., Van der Toorn, J., Jansen, W. S., Boezeman, E. J., & Ellemers, N. (2019). Looking beyond our similarities: How perceived (in)visible dissimilarity relates to feelings of inclusion at work. Frontiers, 10, 575.
Cramwinckel, F. M., Scheepers, D. T., & Van der Toorn, J. (2018). Interventions to reduce blatant and
subtle sexual orientation- and gender identity prejudice (SOGIP): Current knowledge and future directions. Social Issues and Policy Review, 12, 183-217.
