Erik van Ingen

Erik van Ingen is an Associate Professor at the Department of Sociology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Program Director of the Sociology Bachelor and Master programs. His research focuses on social connections, digital inequality, and the impact of technology on well-being, with a particular emphasis on aging populations and vulnerable groups. He holds a NWO VENI Grant (2013–2016) for studying the role of the Internet in coping with life events.

Research Interests:

• Social and psychological consequences of Internet use
• Volunteering and civic engagement
• Social trust, support, and individualization
• Technology accessibility for older adults with cognitive impairments
• Digital divide and social inequality

Key Contributions:

• Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) researcher, investigating aging-related social and health dynamics.
• Author of over 48 peer-reviewed publications, including studies on ICT use among older adults and qualitative analyses of digital inclusion barriers.

Grants/Awards:

• NWO VENI Grant (2013–2016): "Life events & well-being: The role of the Internet in coping processes"

Teaching and Leadership:

• Course coordinator for Sociology courses on social networks, digital governance, and intervention research.
• Supervised one PhD thesis and contributes to interdisciplinary projects like the LASA.

Media Engagement:

• Frequent expert commentator on topics like social media's role in loneliness, digital transformation, and societal well-being.