Personal profile
Research interests
I have an interdisciplinary background in anthropology, sociology, and the study of religion in its societal context. As a PhD candidate, my research focuses on sacralization discourses in contexts of care and self-help, specificially in the form of life coaching. The concepts that animate my work include meaning-making, sacralization, (collective) identity formation, and the intersections between religion and modernity.
Career
2025 - present Chair PhD Council, Tilburg School of Catholic Theology, Tilburg University
2025 - present Advisory member Faculty Council, Tilburg School of Catholic Theology, Tilburg University
2022 - 2023 Project manager EMJM Religious Diversity in a Globalised World (ReD Global), Faculty of Religion, Culture, and Society, University of Groningen
2021 - 2022 Editor-in-Chief founding board Student Think Tank for Europe-Asia Relations
2018 - 2020 Editor Social Sciences at undergraduate research journal Ad Astra, University College Roosevelt
2018 - 2021 Research assistant, Department of Social Sciences, University College Roosevelt
Education/Academic qualification
Sociology, Master’s Degree, EMJMD Euroculture - European Politics, Culture, and Society
2020 → 2022
Cultural anthropology, Bachelor’s Degree, Liberal Arts & Sciences (Anthropology, Politics, and Law), University College Roosevelt
2017 → 2020
Keywords
- Sociology Of Religion
- Anthropology
- Self (The)
- Sacralization
- Self Regulation
- Meaning-making
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Fingerprint
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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"A Religion of Action, Not Faith": The Rise of Germanic Neopaganism and the Construction of a Counter-Christian Narrative
van Boven, J., 13 Mar 2025, Religions of Europe: Selected Texts Presented at the Euroculture Intensive Programme 2021. Nykvist, M. (ed.). Uppsala University, p. 141-169 (Studies in Religion and Society; vol. 24).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific › peer-review
Open AccessFile49 Downloads (Pure) -
I love Luce: De digitale cultuur van hoop en wanhoop
van Boven, J., 30 Sept 2025, Waar het licht blijft: Theologische essays over de hoop. Adveniat, p. 15-26Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Popular
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Navigating Fullness and Exile in the Low Countries: Constructing Contemporary Paganism In- and Outside of a Secular Frame
van Boven, J., 2023, In: Religio: revue pro religionistiku. 31, 1, p. 57-80Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
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Breathing Room for Democracy: The Restriction of Political Participation in EU Citizenship through Economics
van Boven, J., Sept 2021, In: Audens: Revista Estudiantil d’anàlisi interdisciplinària. 5, p. 2-12Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
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Ethnic outgroup aggression: A pilot study on the importance of emotion regulation, nationalism and susceptibility to persuasion
Stupar-Rutenfrans, S., Verdouw, P. C. D., van Boven, J., Ryzhkina, O. A., Batkhina, A., Aksoz-Efe, I., Hamzallari, O., Papageorgopoulou, P., Uka, F., Petrović, N., Statovci, A., Rutenfrans-Stupar, M., Praničević, D. G., Zahaj, S. & Mijts, E., Sept 2021, In: International Journal of Intercultural Relations. p. 79-85Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Activities
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Tell Me Who I Am! - On Personality Tests, Therapy Culture, and Astrology
van Boven, J. (Speaker)
12 May 2026Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk › Popular
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De coach als vormingsprofessional
van Boven, J. (Speaker)
1 May 2026Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation › Professional
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Hoop en de valse god van zekerheid
van Boven, J. (Speaker)
30 Nov 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk › Professional
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NGG Conference 2025: Imagination / Religion
van Boven, J. (Contributor)
6 Nov 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference › Scientific
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Locating the Sacred in Late Modernity: The Trouble with Sacralization
van Boven, J. (Speaker)
16 Oct 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation › Professional
Press/Media
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TikTok als zendingsveld? Waarom kerken wél online moeten – en waar ze op moeten letten
30/06/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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Hoe TikTok het geloof van jongeren beïnvloedt: ‘Het motiveert me om vaker naar de kerk te gaan’
19/06/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment