Book presentation Between Law and Science

On Thursday the 5th of September 2024, the new Dutch handbook legal psychology, Between Law and Science: The psychology of the law, was presented during a lively afternoon including a panel discussion. The handbook was edited by Jan de Keijser, Robert Horselenberg and Annelies Vredeveldt and contains chapters written by many Dutch legal psychologists.

Jan de Keijser opened the afternoon with some introductory words, after which Marieke Dubelaar took over to chair the panel discussion. The panel consisted of members from various professions:

• Discussion leader: prof. dr. mr. Marieke Dubelaar (Professor criminal law, Radboud Universiteit)
• Academia: prof. dr. mr. Anne Ruth Mackor (Professor ethics, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen)
• Lawyer: mr. Ivonne Leenhouwers (Partner, Jebbink Soeteman advocaten)
• Prosecutor: mr. Disa Jironet (Prosecutor, National Expertise Centre Discrimination)
• High Court Judge: mr. Roel den Otter (Judge, High Court Amsterdam)
• Supreme Court Judge: mr. Tamara Trotman (Judge, Supreme Court)
•Journalist: Bas Haan (Investigative journalist, NRC)

The panel members discussed, among other things, in what way legal psychology has contributed to their profession and in which areas they still see room for improvement.

After the panel discussion, Annelies Vredeveldt presented a special version of the book to the founder of the Dutch handbooks legal psychology, em.prof.dr. Peter van Koppen. She thanked him for his impressive contribution to legal psychology in The Netherlands and for inspireing many legal psychologists who followed him. He expressed his appreciation for the new edition. Finally, Robert Horselenberg thanked all the authors, panel members and organisational aides and the discussion was continued over drinks.