Prof. dr. Denise de Ridder

Dr. Denise de Ridder serves as Professor of Psychology at Utrecht University's Department of Social, Health & Organizational Psychology and director of the Self-Regulation Lab. Through her Coursera course "Unravelling solutions for Future Food problems," she helps students understand complex global food challenges from an interdisciplinary perspective. Her research focuses on self-regulation, self-control, and nudging, leading several research projects funded by NWO and other organizations. As senior editor of Health Psychology Review and monthly columnist for NRC Handelsblad, she actively contributes to public discourse on behavioral insights for policy making. Her expertise spans consumer behavior, health psychology, and behavioral change, particularly in food-related contexts. Working with colleagues from law, economics, and public administration, she contributes to the Behavior and Institutions stream within Utrecht University's strategic theme Institutions for Open Societies. Her teaching combines psychological theory with practical applications in addressing global food challenges and promoting healthy choices