Dr Joel Vos PhD MSc MA is a chartered psychologist and philosopher. He works as a Senior Researcher and Senior Lecturer with a research specialty at the Metanoia Institute in London. He is the director of IMEC International Meaning Events and Community. He has published over 160 articles in peer-reviewed journals and books. He is for example known for his research on meaning in life, systematic literature reviews, meta-analyses, and conceptual models of existential, transactional, and other humanistic psychotherapies. His career started with examining the existential impact of immigration, and how individuals perceive existentially threatening physical diseases, such as cancer, DNA-test results, Cardiovascular Disease, and COVID-19.
After his training in Clinical and Health Psychology at Leiden University, Joel specialised in existential, cognitive-behaviour, and group therapy. He has given therapy to thousands of clients in different mental health care settings, including his private practice. He has developed existential and humanistic treatments which he has tested in clinical trials, and which are now used worldwide.
He has published nine books. In summer 2023, Sage will publish his go-to book for therapy students and researchers, entitled “Doing research in psychological therapies: a step-by-step guide”. His previous books include for instance “Meaning in life: an evidence-based handbook for practitioners” (Bloomsbury), “Mental health in Crisis” (with Ron Roberts and James Davies, Sage), “The psychology of covid-19” (Sage), and “The economics of meaning in life: from Capitalist Life Syndrome to Meaning-oriented Society” (University Professors Press). He has been a guest editor of several scientific journals, has supervised 80 doctorate students, and offers research supervision and consultancy to students and companies.
With the help of his evidence-based research on social justice and social movements, he has trained politicians and activists and has helped to design social movements. He has for example been nominated by the Council of Europe for the Democracy Innovations Award 2022 (shared), was awarded the title ‘Chief of Peace’ for lobbying for girls to attend schools in Ghana, and was one of the founders of Extinction Rebellion which was named after his existential research. His work was described by the Dutch Deputy Prime-Minister Rouvoet as a cornerstone for the 2006-2010 government policies on multiculturalism. His research has been awarded approximately two million GBP in grants and awards.
