Dirk Jan van de Kaa (1932–2026): Scholar, Institution Builder, and Director of NIAS

On 22 May 2026, former NIAS Director Dirk Jan van de Kaa died in The Hague at the age of 93. He leaves behind his wife Jacomien and their children, Marjan and Jan Hein.

Widely regarded as one of the architects of demographic research in the Netherlands, Van de Kaa played a decisive role in shaping the study of population change in Europe during the second half of the twentieth century. His scholarly contributions, particularly in the field of family formation and social transformation, influenced generations of researchers and policymakers alike.

Following academic training in Utrecht and doctoral research in Australia, he returned to the Netherlands in the early 1970s to establish and lead the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI). Over more than fifteen years, he helped build the institute into an internationally recognised centre of expertise.

A defining chapter of his career began in 1987, when he became Director of the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIAS). During his eight years at NIAS, he championed intellectual exchange across disciplines and encouraged an environment in which scholars could pursue ambitious and independent research. Under his guidance, the institute expanded its international reach and strengthened its reputation as a place for reflection, collaboration, and academic excellence.

Van de Kaa also held numerous senior positions within Dutch and international academic organisations, including the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). His work earned broad international recognition throughout his long career.

Those who worked with him remember not only his intellectual authority, but also his generosity, careful judgement, and deep commitment to academic life.