Wouter Weeda appointed new Scientific Director of the Institute of Psychology
Wouter Weeda has been appointed Scientific Director of the Institute of Psychology by the Board of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. He will start on 1 December 2025 for a period of three years, succeeding Hanneke Hulst.
Wouter obtained his PhD in 2012 from the Department of Developmental Psychology at the University of Amsterdam, after which he worked as Assistant Professor and statistical advisor at the Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR) and as a postdoctoral researcher and teacher at the departments of Methods, Clinical Neuropsychology, and Educational Neuroscience at the Vrije Universiteit University Amsterdam. He has been affiliated with Leiden University since 2015 and works as Assistant Professor in the field of fMRI methodology and statistics. His research focuses on developing new methods for analysing fMRI data and implementing these methods in open-source software.
Open Science
Wouter is active in the field of Open Science. In 2023, he received an NWO Open Science Fund grant to develop open-source software and draw up improved guidelines for a new statistical analysis method for brain research data.
Clear vision and connecting style
The Board of the Institute is pleased that Wouter is taking on the role of Scientific Director during this challenging period. Hanneke: ‘The fact that he is interested in this role right now says it all. He is really looking forward to it, and that enthusiasm is perhaps the most important starting point for good leadership. With his energy, brains, kindness, clear vision and connecting style, we are confident that the institute can continue to grow under his leadership.’
The Faculty Board also emphasises its confidence in his appointment: ‘We are very pleased that Wouter is willing to take on this role and look forward to a successful collaboration.’
Weather the storm together
Wouter on his appointment: ‘I am very much looking forward to getting started as Scientific Director. These are challenging times for the Institute, but I am confident that we can weather this storm together. I look forward to continuing to work together on excellent education and research, in a safe and inspiring working environment where there is room for everyone's talent.’
Board change
Hanneke Hulst will step down from her role as Scientific Director on 1 December 2025. As of that date, the Board will consist of Wouter Weeda, Director of Education Pascal Haazebroek, Director of Research Judy Veldhuijzen, Portfolio Holder for Business Operations Wiesje Zikkenheiner and student member Celina Lesser.