Wiljan van den Akker

Wiljan van den Akker is a Professor and Vice-Rector for Research at Utrecht University's Faculty of Humanities. His research focuses on historiography, modernization, and cultural studies, with notable work on the Dutch case of modernization. He is based at Behind the Dom 20 in Utrecht.

• Administrative Roles: Vice-Rector for Research (Utrecht University)
• Professional Affiliations: Chairs Johan Polak Foundation and Geert Van Oorschot Foundation; serves on boards of CHCI, Dutch Crossings, SURF, Amsterdam University Press, OAPEN, and Virtual Knowledge Studio (KNAW).

Research Contributions: Led the NWO-funded project 'The Myopia of Post-national Historiography and the Dutch Case of Modernization' (2002–2005), exploring historical methodologies and national narratives. His work bridges academic research with policy through roles in scholarly communication and open-access initiatives.

• Grants & Projects: Executor of NWO grant (2002–2005) with Prof. Wijnand Mijnhardt.