Dr. Jan Van Wiele

Biography

Jan Van Wiele studied Modern History, Religious Sciences, and Theology, obtaining a PhD in Theology and Religious Sciences from K.U.Leuven and a PhD in Educational Sciences from another university. He worked as a research assistant for the Fund for Scientific Research Flanders and as a postdoctoral researcher for K.U.Leuven’s Research Council, with research stays in Germany, Canada, the United States, and France between 1997 and 2004. In 2005, he began teaching at Tilburg University in the Faculty of Humanities, later moving to the Faculty of Theology in 2011. His focus is on teaching and education. Van Wiele specializes in the study of religions, interreligious dialogue, and historical perspectives. His courses address comparative religion and the relationship between Christianity and non-Christian religions, emphasizing theological and societal dimensions of dialogue. His research primarily examines the confrontation and interaction between Christianity and various religions and cultures, particularly American and European education in the Modern Period. Notably, he explores the topic of nationalistic identity formation in Europe, specifically within the context of Belgian Catholic public school education during the 19th and 20th centuries. He currently serves as the vice president of the International Society for Research on Textbooks and Educational Media.

Research Interests

Courses