Wander van der Vaart

Wander van der Vaart serves as Associate Professor of Social Research Methodology at the University of Humanistic Studies in Utrecht, Netherlands, and holds the position of Director of the university's Graduate School. His academic profile spans quantitative and qualitative research methods with additional expertise in political science and psychology.

His research interests focus on:

• Mixed-methods research approaches
• Flexible survey designs
• Social and cognitive aspects of survey methodology
• Data collection techniques
• Methodologies for hard-to-study populations
• Ageing and well-being studies

His recent scholarly output (2022-2025) demonstrates a strong emphasis on meaningful ageing, social inclusion of older adults, and gerotranscendence. His publications appear in both methodology-focused journals (such as Survey Methods) and substantive journals addressing ageing, well-being, and social cohesion. His work frequently employs qualitative approaches to explore meaning in life among elderly populations.

Professional recognition includes:

• Board Member and Vice-President for Finance of RC33-ISA (Research Committee on Logic and Methodology of the International Sociological Association)
• Member of the editorial board for the peer-reviewed journal 'Survey Methods'
• Referee for multiple scientific journals including Family Planning Studies, Survey Methods, and Journal of Official Statistics

Van der Vaart actively supervises research projects and PhD candidates, with current supervision extending through 2026. He serves as an invited reviewer for the Swiss National Science Foundation and participates in major international academic conferences including the World Congress of Sociology and the International Conference on Social Science Methodology. His research is embedded within the university's program 'A meaningful life in a just and caring society'.