Kees van den Bos

Prof. Dr. Kees van den Bos is a dual professor at Utrecht University, holding appointments in the School of Law (Empirical Legal Science) and the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Social Psychology). He leads research on perceived justice, radicalization, and societal trust, focusing on how procedural fairness impacts trust in institutions and prevents extremism. His work bridges psychology and law, addressing topics like terrorism, moral judgment, and legal system effectiveness.

Education:

• Ph.D. cum laude in Social Psychology (Leiden University, 1996)
• Postdoctoral research at Leiden University and the American Bar Foundation

Research Interests:

• Justice perceptions in legal and organizational contexts
• Radicalization drivers (e.g., perceived injustice, cultural worldview defense)
• Trust in democratic institutions and the rule of law
• Climate activism and procedural fairness

Teaching:

• "T-shaped scientist" approach combining disciplinary depth with interdisciplinary collaboration
• Courses include Social Psychology, Empirical Legal Research, and Methodology
• Recipient of Psychology Teacher of the Year (2009, 2010, 2018)

Awards & Grants:

• VICI and Gravitation grants from NWO
• Fellowships from major psychological societies
• Member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences

Key Projects:

• "Institutions for Open Societies" research on security and trust
• Counterterrorism advisory roles (e.g., Dutch National Coordinator)
• Public outreach on radicalization and legal fairness