English

Foto: Gita Bouma

Doutje is a sociologist (PhD) with an interdisciplinary background in law, political science and history. She has worked as a manager, researcher, strategist, and policy advisor in the fields of social impact and system change, bridging academia, public policy, and international non-profit sectors. In her current role as Chief Science Officer (CSO) of the City of Amsterdam, she connects research, policy and practice to address urban challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Academic background

Doutje holds master’s degrees in history and political science from the University of Amsterdam and a PhD in sociology from VU University Amsterdam. Her doctoral research examined the framing and regulation of the Islamic veil in the Netherlands, France, and Germany, which she defended in 2011. She was previously a visiting scholar at the London School of Economics and Political Sciences (LSE) (London), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) (Paris), and the Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung (WZB) (Berlin). Earlier, she studied as an exchange student at Boğaziçi Üniversitesi (Istanbul). Alongside her professional work, she completed several L.L.M.-level courses in international human rights law at the University of the Western Cape (Cape Town). 

Professional experience

Since June 2025, Doutje has served as Chief Science Officer at the City of Amsterdam. In this role as CSO she works to strengthen the city’s knowledge infrastructure, foster innovation and ensure that public policy is informed by evidence and different forms of knowledge.

Between 2020-2025, Doutje was Manager of the Research and Policy department of The Netherlands Human Rights Institute, where she led the development and implementation of research, policy, and advocacy programs aligned with the Institute’s strategic priorities. In this capacity, she managed a team of 22 researchers and legal advisors, prepared the multi-annual strategy for the Board of Commissioners, and helped guide the Institute toward becoming a more effective, accountable, and rights-holder-focused organization.

Previously, Doutje worked as a senior policy advisor in the Human Rights and Multilateral Affairs department of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 2013 to 2019 Doutje worked as a researcher, policy advisor and program manager for Amnesty International, specializing in human rights research and advocacy on topics such as counterterrorism, surveillance, and the erosion of the rule of law within the EU. She also contributed with strategic foresight, conferences and trend analyses to Amnesty’s long-term strategy development.

Doutje has also worked as an independent researcher for Human Rights Watch, the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), Art. 1 and the Scientific Research and Documentation Centre of the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security (WODC). Her work resulted in various international policy reports on topics ranging from violence against women with a migrant background and human trafficking to access to justice in data protection cases.

Public engagement, publications & collaborations

Through evidence-based research, publications, presentations and strategic partnerships, Doutje contributes to public debates on a wide range of topics. Her areas of expertise include human rights, the rule of law, international relations, civil society, and social inequality. She is passionate about connecting experts across geographies, sectors, and disciplines to co-create solutions that are effective, just, and inclusive. A key principle in her work is to amplify underrepresented voices and integrate diverse forms of knowledge. In addition, she regularly leads and moderates symposia, seminars, and panel discussions in both Dutch and English.

Affiliations

Doutje serves on the supervisory and advisory boards of several non-profit organizations that collaborate with social movements to advance rights, justice and inclusive societies. She is also a Fellow of Humanity in Action, a transatlantic non-profit organization that supports democracy, pluralism and human rights through educational programs. Doutje has lived, worked and studied in Istanbul, Paris, Berlin, London, Cape Town, Nairobi and her hometown of Amsterdam.

See her Linked-In profile for further details on her professional background.