About
Daan Scheepers is Professor of Psychophysiology of Groups at Utrecht University's Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Department of Social, Health and Organisational Psychology. He holds this position part-time since 2018 while maintaining his associate professorship at Leiden University's Social, Economic, and Organisational Psychology department since 2013. Previously, he served as assistant professor at Leiden University (2007-2013) and conducted postdoctoral research on a VENI grant from the Dutch Research Council (NWO) from 2004-2007.
His research program focuses on group processes, intergroup relations, and stress physiology. Using cardiovascular measurements, Scheepers distinguishes between negative stress (threat) and positive stress (challenge), examining how these physiological responses impact decision-making, performance, and health. His work investigates social factors underlying threat and challenge responses, including conflict, power dynamics, status hierarchies, moral evaluations, social change, and inclusion processes. This psychophysiological approach provides novel insights into the biological underpinnings of social behavior.
Analysis of his recent publications (2022-2025) reveals three dominant research streams: (1) intergroup relations and prejudice reduction using psychophysiological measures, (2) power dynamics and leadership through cardiovascular reactivity studies, and (3) EU legitimacy research connecting social identity with political psychology. His work consistently bridges social psychology with physiological measurement techniques, often collaborating with Naomi Ellemers' research group at Utrecht University.
His scientific recognition includes a prestigious VENI grant from the Dutch Research Council (NWO). He has demonstrated professional leadership through editorial service as associate editor of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (2020-2024) and as teaching director of the Kurt Lewin Institute (national graduate school in social psychology) from 2013-2015.
Scheepers currently leads the 'Psychophysiology of groups' research chair within Naomi Ellemers' distinguished research group at Utrecht University. His laboratory work combines traditional social psychology paradigms with cardiovascular measurement techniques to explore the physiological foundations of group behavior and intergroup relations. His research program continues to expand the understanding of how social contexts translate into physiological responses that shape human behavior in group settings.
