Harm Kaal

Prof. Harm Kaal is a historian specializing in political history, particularly focusing on democracy, citizenship, and the intersection of politics and popular culture. He holds a professorship at the Department of History, Art History & Classics at Radboud University, Nijmegen, and is affiliated with the Radboud Institute for Culture and History (RICH). As Vice Dean of Education at the Faculty of Arts, he oversees educational programs in History and contributes to the Master's in History and Education. His research explores political communication, sport as a political arena, and the application of historical knowledge in policy contexts.

Research Interests
His work centers on three themes: perceptions of democracy and political representation through popular communication, the role of sport in political dynamics, and the integration of history into public policy. Current projects include the 'Voice of the People' (funded by Gerda Henkel Foundation) and a new initiative on history in Dutch policy (starting 2024). He is also the founding editor of the Journal of Applied History.

Key Contributions
Kaal’s publications span electoral campaigns, sport-politics interactions, and historical methodological applications. Notable works include De strijd om de stembus (2024) and articles on postwar political cultures in Europe. His research bridges academic and applied history, emphasizing contemporary relevance.

Grants & Awards
Recipient of the NWO VENI grant (2011), and recently secured funding through the NWO Open Competition and Gerda Henkel Foundation. His projects include collaborative initiatives like the NWA Re/Presenting Europe, focusing on sport heroes and societal belonging.

Teaching & Leadership
He teaches applied history, political historiography, and supervises graduate students. As Vice Dean of Education, he champions educational innovation and curriculum development across the faculty. His academic leadership extends to roles on boards like the FWO expert panel and Brill’s editorial board for the Journal of Applied History.