All you need to know

ABOUT RENS VAN DE SCHOOT

Bibliography

Prof. Dr. Rens van de Schoot works as full professor 'Statistics for Small Data Sets' at Utrecht University in the Netherlands and as extra-ordinary professor North-West University in South-Africa. He is also program director of the research master 'Methodology and Statistics for the Behavioural, Biomedical and Social Sciences' and coordinator of the post-graduate program at the department of Methods and Statistics

His main research projects are the open-source ASReview project (Active learning for systematic text reviewing) and solutions for small data sets (S4) in the field of structural equation modeling with solutions in the areas of expert elicitation, Bayesian statistics and constrained statistical inference.

He was elected to become a member of the Young Academy of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and of the Society of Multivariate Experimental Psychology (SMEP). He obtained a VENI (on Integrating background knowledge about traumatic stress experienced after trauma into statistical models assessing individual change over time) and a VIDI (on Experts, their prior knowledge, and the issue of limited data). The ASReview project was awarded the KNVI- Victorine van Schaickfonds Initiative Award.

Rens obtained his PhD cum laude on the topic of applying Bayesian statistics to real-life data at the Methodology and Statistics department at Utrecht University, The Netherlands. His dissertation was received the APA-award for best dissertation of the division of Quantitative and Qualitative Methods. During his PhD, he advocated the interests of PhD students within the university as chair of the PhD-council Prout. Rens is also past president of the Early Researchers Union of the European Association of Developmental Psychology. Before his PhD, Rens had completed a research master program in Development and Socialization of Children and Adolescents, also cum laude.

 






    • Rens is a highly enthusiastic and an ambitious person. His supervision style is characterized by providing adequate support, while also stimulating autonomy in his (PhD-)students. Rens shows sincere interest in someone’s professional, as well as personal development. Openness and transparency in research activities are emphasized by him.

    Marthe Egberts

    PhD Student
    I’ve come to know Rens as an enthusiastic and inspirational person, with a true passion for research. He’s very ambitious in trying to improve research practices within the whole field of social sciences and is persistent in promoting the discussion on research ethics among researchers. As he once claimed himself: “We should realize that there’s no golden standard for how to be mr./ms. Perfect in research. Start, however, with having open and transparent discussions."

    Rianne van Dijk

    PhD student
    It is hard not to get affected by Rens’ enthusiasm. He turns problems into challenges and opportunities.

    Duco Veen

    PhD student
    It’s not just Rens his passion for research that stands out: his positive personality and sincere interest in the people he works with is admirable. Although swamped with tons of work himself, he will always make time to give you advice and he is glad to help. Moreover, Rens is eager in promoting and supporting the general well-being of his scholars. To me, it is a privilege to know and work together with such an encouraging and considerate person.

    Rianne van Dijk

    PhD student
    I think Rens is a person who will always try to figure out how he can make your day, career, or even life, better. Even if he has a lot going on in his own life, he will always take the time to listen to your problems and try to help you. I see him as a mentor and role model, not just because he is a great academic, but because he is a great human being.

    Sonja D. Winter

    PhD student / Junior Researcher
    Rens is an energetic and inspiring researcher and teacher. He is always open to new ideas, introduces interesting issues in science and involves his students in his work.

    Naomi Schalken

    Student Assistant
    As a supervisor, Rens focuses on more than just short term success and results. He provides an environment to grow as a researcher and a person.

    Duco Veen

    PhD student
    Rens is a very approachable, enthousiastic and inspiring supervisor. He is able to explain very difficult matter in very easy terms and he provides constructive feedback. He is very active as a scientist, but also in his personal life.

    Inge Zweers

    PhD Student