معرفی
Dr. Mathijs Kros is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at Utrecht University, where he works in the Chair Jaspers Social Networks, Solidarity and Inequality. His research focuses on intergroup relations, social networks, and criminology, with particular attention to ethnic contact, prejudice, migration, and hate crimes. He maintains an active research profile with numerous publications in top-tier journals in sociology and social psychology.
Dr. Kros completed his PhD at Utrecht University in 2020 with a dissertation titled "The nature of negative contact: Studies on interethnic relations in western societies." His academic trajectory shows a consistent focus on understanding intergroup dynamics, particularly how positive and negative interethnic contact shapes social attitudes and behaviors.
His research interests primarily center around intergroup relations, with specific attention to the dynamics of positive and negative contact between different ethnic groups. Dr. Kros investigates how neighborhood composition affects social cohesion and prejudice, examines patterns of hate crimes and their relationship to demographic changes, and studies the criminal careers of various offender types. His work often employs longitudinal and network analysis approaches to understand complex social phenomena. A key contribution is his theoretical refinement distinguishing between the valence (positive vs. negative) and intensity of contact experiences.
Dr. Kros's recent publications demonstrate an evolving research agenda that connects social psychology with criminological questions. His work spans from theoretical examinations of intergroup contact processes to applied research on criminal justice interventions. A notable trend is his increasing focus on hate crimes and ethnic harassment, particularly examining how major societal events (like sports competitions) can trigger racial violence. His research has been widely cited and picked up by news outlets, indicating significant academic and societal impact.
Dr. Kros has published extensively in high-impact journals including Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, European Sociological Review, Journal of Social Issues, and Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology. His research has garnered significant attention, with several papers being picked up by news outlets and referenced in policy discussions. The 2021 paper "Does negative contact undermine attempts to improve intergroup relations?" was particularly influential, being cited over 100 times and shared widely on social media.
As a mentor, Dr. Kros appears to collaborate with numerous junior researchers and co-authors on diverse projects. His publication record suggests successful external funding for research projects, though specific grant information isn't detailed in the available texts. He frequently collaborates with researchers including E. Jaspers, F. van Tubergen, M. Hewstone, and S.J. Schäfer.
Dr. Kros is affiliated with research groups focused on social networks, solidarity, and inequality at Utrecht University. His work bridges social psychology and criminology, suggesting interdisciplinary collaborations within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. His current research appears to be expanding into the study of hate crimes following major societal events, as evidenced by his 2024 paper on racial hate crime after the Euro 2020 Final in London.
