Bas van Bavel

Prof. Dr. Bas van Bavel is University Professor (0.3 FTE) and Professor of Economic and Social History at Utrecht University, where he also serves as scientific director of the Strategic Theme Institutions for Open Societies. His work focuses on the long-term development of societies, the functioning of markets, and the institutional conditions necessary for a resilient and equitable society.

Education and Career Path

• Lecturer, post-doctoral researcher and visiting scholar at Utrecht, Amsterdam and Ghent universities.
• Senior researcher/head of research, Utrecht University (2001).
• Professor of Economic and Social History (Middle Ages), Utrecht University (2007 – present).
• Coordinator, university focus area “Origins and Impact of Institutions” (2007), later the strategic theme Institutions for Open Societies.
• Faculty Professor, Faculty of Humanities, chair “Transitions of Economy and Society” (2014).
• University Professor (0.3 FTE) appointed 1 April 2021 to foster inter-disciplinary collaboration within SSH and with technological/biomedical sciences.

Research Interests

Van Bavel’s research examines how societies develop over the long term and why some successfully adapt to shocks while others do not. He studies the organisation of markets for land, labour and capital, the interaction between economy, society and institutions, and the historical roots of inequality and resilience. His comparative perspective ranges from pre-industrial Northwest Europe to the modern world, integrating insights from economics, sociology, political science and ethics.

Scientific Awards

• Spinoza Prize (2019) – the highest Dutch science award, granted by NWO for outstanding, pioneering and inspiring research.

Major Grants & Projects

• ERC project “Coordinating for Life” – investigating the determinants of societal resilience.
• Strategic Theme Institutions for Open Societies (IOS) – interdisciplinary programme bringing together history, sociology, economics, law, public administration, psychology, philosophy and innovation studies.
• Dutch National Research Agenda route “Towards resilient societies”.
• Better Well-Being Index (BWI) – developing new prosperity indicators with Rabobank and other partners.
• SCOOP: Sustainable Cooperation research programme.

Teaching & Supervision

Van Bavel teaches courses in the Bachelor and Master programmes History, History of Politics and Society, and Economics. He mentors a team of early-career researchers within the IOS theme and ERC project.