Edwin van Leeuwen

Dr. Edwin van Leeuwen (Utrecht University, Faculty of Science) is an Assistant Professor in Animal Behaviour and Cognition. His research focuses on primate social structures, cultural transmission in great apes, and implications for understanding human evolutionary origins. Affiliated with the Environmental Biology department, he teaches primatology and ethology to behavioral science students.

• Current Research: Cultural variation in chimpanzee/bonobo sociality
• Key Themes: Social learning, cooperation, prosocial behavior
• Methodology: Observational studies, controlled experiments

His recent articles (2023-2025) explore topics like group-specific prosocial behavior, cultural transmission mechanisms, and sexual dynamics in Pan species. Studies span from chimpanzee tool use to bonobo social tolerance and cross-species comparisons. While no formal scientific awards are listed, his work is widely cited across primatology and evolutionary anthropology.

Van Leeuwen combines field observations with experimental approaches to investigate the cognitive foundations of animal behavior. His teaching emphasizes both theoretical frameworks and practical methodologies in primate studies.