Irene Stengs

prof. dr. Irene Stengs is an Endowed Professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's Faculty of Social Sciences, specializing in Social and Cultural Anthropology. She holds a joint appointment with the Mobilities, Beliefs and Belonging (MOBB) research unit and is a senior researcher at the Meertens Instituut (KNAW). Her work focuses on popular religiosity, heritage formation, Dutch cultural identity, and Thai society. Key research topics include the cultural politics of 'Dutchness,' the heritagization of religion (HERILIGION project), and high-density events' role in shaping national identity. She has contributed to projects like ‘The Dutch Passion for the Passion,’ examining the popularity of religious performances in the Netherlands.

Education:

• PhD in Cultural Anthropology from Universiteit van Amsterdam (thesis on Thai monarchy veneration)

Research Interests: Irene explores how cultural heritage is commodified and politicized, particularly in the Netherlands and Thailand. Her work analyzes the interplay between secularization, colonial history, and contemporary rituals. She investigates how events like passion performances or cultural festivals act as 'high-density events,' intensifying national identity discourses and heritage formation.

Research Projects:

• HERILIGION (HERA-funded): Examines religion's transformation into heritage in Europe.
• ‘Dutchness’: Studies cultural heritage's resurgence in the Netherlands, including its colonial legacy.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Meertens Instituut's Ethnology Department and leads the MOBB research unit at VU.