Marco van Leeuwen

Marco van Leeuwen is a Professor of Historical Sociology/Social Science History at Utrecht University, affiliated with the Department of Sociology within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. He holds an honorary research fellowship at the International Institute of Social History and an honorary doctorate from Umeå University (2017). His research focuses on global social solidarity and inequality since 1500, with special attention to INGOs/TSMOs, philanthropy, mutual aid, and social mobility trends. He leads projects like the ERC Advanced Grant 'Towards Open Societies' and contributes to initiatives such as HISCO and HISCLASS occupational classification systems.

Key research themes include long-term social mobility patterns, colonial migration impacts, and historical social welfare institutions. Notable work includes studies on intergenerational mobility in Europe during industrialization, social homogamy in marriage, and the role of mutual insurance systems. He has advised organizations like the European Social Science History Conference and chairs its board. His research integrates demographic and historical methods to analyze structural social changes.