Karen van der Zee

Prof. Karen van der Zee is Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, where she also holds an endowed professorship in Intercultural Competence. She previously served as Dean of the Faculty of Behavioral Sciences at the University of Twente and led the Institute for Integration and Social Efficacy at the University of Groningen. Her academic roles include Chief Diversity Officer at VU Amsterdam, focusing on institutional diversity strategies and inclusive policies.

Her research explores intercultural competence, organizational psychology, and societal resilience. Key interests include cultural diversity in workplaces, acculturation processes, and the impact of diversity on creativity and conflict resolution. She has authored over 79 publications, emphasizing themes like multicultural personality assessment, restorative environments, and diversity management.

Van der Zee holds a PhD in Social Psychology (1996) and a doctorate in Personality Psychology (1990, cum laude). She is a member of the Kurt Lewin Institute and the International Academy of Intercultural Research, and collaborates with UCLA and Leiden University on diversity initiatives. Her work aligns with UN SDGs related to social inclusion and sustainable communities.