Dr. Marie Valentova | Sociology Award | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Marie Valentova | Sociology Award | Best Researcher Award 

Dr. Marie Valentova, Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER), Luxembourg

Marie Valentova is a senior researcher at the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER), where she has worked since 2008. She holds a PhD in Sociology from Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic, and a Master’s in European Social Policy Analysis from the Universities of Tilburg and Bath. Her research focuses on family policies, gender equality, and social cohesion, with a strong background in both quantitative and qualitative methods. Dr. Valentova has coordinated numerous international research projects and served in several leadership roles at LISER, including team leader of the “Childhood, Family and Education Policies” unit and member of multiple strategic committees. She represents Luxembourg in global networks such as the Generations and Gender Programme and the International Network on Leave Policies and Research, where she also serves as an editor. Fluent in English, French, Czech, and intermediate in Luxembourgish, she is widely published and actively contributes to European policy evaluation and development.

Professional Profile:

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ORCID

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Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award

Dr. Marie Valentova is an exceptionally strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award, with a distinguished academic and professional trajectory in social policy and gender studies. Her extensive research portfolio, spanning over two decades, demonstrates high-impact, internationally recognized contributions—including leadership in major cross-national studies and methodological innovation. As a principal investigator, scientific committee member, and editor, she has shown outstanding commitment to advancing socio-economic research. Her scholarly output and dedication to mentoring and interdisciplinary collaboration make her highly deserving of this recognition.

👩‍🎓 Education

🎓 PhD in Sociology (1998–2002)
Masaryk University Brno, Czech Republic

🎓 Master in European Social Policy Analysis (MESPA) (1999–2000)
University of Tilburg, Netherlands & University of Bath, UK

🎓 Master in Sociology, Social Policy & Social Work (1996–1998)
Masaryk University Brno, Czech Republic

🎓 Bachelor in Sociology, Social Policy & Social Work (1993–1996)
Masaryk University Brno, Czech Republic

👩‍💼 Work Experience

🧪 Senior Researcher (2008–present)
Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER)

  • Coordinated international projects (e.g., European Values Study 🌍)

  • Led the “Childhood, Family and Education Policies” unit (2016–2018)

  • Principal Investigator on several externally funded research projects

  • Currently in LISER’s Scientific and Steering Committees

👩‍🏫 Assistant Professor (2002–2007)
IMPALLA, CEPS/INSTEAD, Luxembourg

  • Taught and supervised international Master’s students in Social Policy

📊 Researcher (2000–2002)
Research Institute for Labour and Social Affairs (VUPSV), Czech Republic

  • Worked on social indicators and EU-level monitoring projects

📈 Marketing Researcher (1998–1999)
Ave Marketing, Czech Republic

👩‍🔬 Student Assistant (1998–2000)
Masaryk University, Brno – Part of PhD training

🏆 Achievements, Honors & Contributions

🌟 International Project Coordination:

  • EVS translation coordination in 47 countries (2007–2009)

  • Multidisciplinary research team leadership at LISER

🌍 Global Policy Involvement:

  • Luxembourg Country Rep 🇱🇺 for:

    • Generations and Gender Programme (GGP), UNECE

    • International Network on Leave Policies and Related Research

  • Management Committee Member, COST Action on Parental Leave and Social Sustainability (2022–present)

Publication Top Notes:

Construction, validation and application of the measurement of social cohesion in 47 European countries and regions

CITED:122

Construct validation and application of a common measure of social cohesion in 33 European countries

CITED:106

Age and sex differences in gender role attitudes in Luxembourg between 1999 and 2008

CITED:62

Contact, perceived threat, and attitudes toward assimilation and multiculturalism: Evidence from a majority and minority perspective in Luxembourg

CITED:47

How do traditional gender roles relate to social cohesion? Focus on differences between women and men

CITED:45