Maria Vliek, PhD, is a qualitative researcher at Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau, focusing on participation, talent development, and equality of opportunity. Additionally, Maria serves as a guest researcher and lecturer at Radboud University, coordinating courses in ethnic-religious violence, migration and citizenship, and MENA region studies, while also supervising BA theses. Maria's doctoral dissertation examined narratives of belonging among former Muslims in the Netherlands and the UK. Previous roles include editorial and secretarial responsibilities at ZemZem and project coordination in corporate and non-profit sectors. Academic qualifications include a Master’s degree in Religion from the University of Groningen and a Bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature from the same institution.