Zahra Runderkamp is a doctoral researcher in Political Science at the University of Amsterdam. Zahra’s work focuses on the representation of women and ethnic minorities in politics and their representation in the media in the Netherlands. As part of her thesis, Zahra is currently working on the project 'Barriers and opportunities: towards equal representation of people with a migration background in the Netherlands'. The thesis is supervised by dr. Liza Mügge, prof. dr. Tom van der Meer and dr. Daphne van der Pas.

Next to her PhD, Zahra is a columnist for Binnenlands Bestuur about diversity and inclusion. 

Zahra previously worked as Communications Officer and Member of the Management Team at the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR) until 2022. The AISSR unites all social science research of the University of Amsterdam. The research programme focuses on the functioning of contemporary societies and their interrelationships from historical, comparative and empirical perspectives.

Before that, Zahra worked at academic-cultural center SPUI25, organising events to connect the academic world with the cultural sector in the broadest sense.

Between 2009 and 2018 she was active for the European Youth Parliament (EYP), one of the largest European platforms for political debate, intercultural encounters and exchange of ideas among young people, amongst others as member of the International Board and President of the EYP in the Netherlands.

Zahra holds a Bachelor in Liberal Arts and Sciences and a Master in European Studies.

• Political Equality and Representation
• Representation of Women, Ethnic Minorities in Politics and Media
• Gender and Politics
• Gender and Media
• Local politics
• National politics
• Mixed methods