Dr. Thijl Sunier

Biography

Thijl Sunier is a professor of anthropology and religion at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, specializing in Islam in European societies. Sunier's academic career began in the 1980s with studies in anthropology at the University of Utrecht and the University of Amsterdam, focusing on Turkish migrants and inter-ethnic relations in various European cities. His research evolved to include Islamic organizations and education, as well as the broader dynamics of Muslim religiosity and authority. He has participated in numerous international research projects, including a significant study on the articulation of identity and nation-building in secondary schools across major European cities. Sunier has also played a key role in setting research agendas in the field, serving as president of the Netherlands Interuniversity School for Islamic Studies (NISIS) and as executive editor for the Journal Muslims in Europe. His work critically examines the nature of religious authority and its manifestation in everyday life, using an ethnographic approach to reveal the complexities of authority-making in Islamic contexts. He has published extensively and engaged with public discourse on issues related to Islam in Europe, contributing to the understanding of the role of religion in modern society.

Research Interests

Experience