Bob de Graaff

Prof. Bob de Graaff is a Professor of Intelligence and Security Studies at Utrecht University's Department of History and Art History, part of the Faculty of Humanities. He holds a PhD from Leiden University and has held multiple academic positions, including at Leiden University’s Campus The Hague (2007–2009) and the Netherlands Defense Academy (2010–2017). His research focuses on intelligence history, terrorism, and international relations, with notable projects including a history of the Netherlands Defense Intelligence and Security Service (ongoing until 2022).

Education:

• MA in Contemporary History, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (1979)
• PhD in History, Leiden University (1997), thesis: Kalm temidden van woedende golven. Het Ministerie van Koloniën en zijn taakomgeving, 1912–1940

Research Interests: Intelligence studies, Cold War history, terrorism and counterterrorism, Srebrenica inquiry, Dutch decolonization, and military history. He has authored/co-authored over 50 publications, including Villa Maarheeze: de geschiedenis van de Inlichtingendienst Buitenland (1998) and Intelligence and Cold War behind the Dikes (1997).

Projects:

• Leading the History of the Military Intelligence and Security Service project (2019–2022)
• Member of the editorial board for the Journal of Mediterranean and Balkan Intelligence

Grants & Collaborations:

• Funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Defence for the Military Intelligence project
• Co-founder and board member of the Netherlands Intelligence Studies Association (NISA)

Labs/Teams: Active in academic intelligence networks, particularly through NISA and editorial contributions to intelligence journals.