Background
Thomassen, Jacques J. was born on September 23, 1945 in Diessen, The Netherlands.
Thomassen, Jacques J. was born on September 23, 1945 in Diessen, The Netherlands.
Born in Diessen, Thomassen obtained his Master of Arts in Sociology in 1968 at the Tilburg University, where in 1976 he also obtained his Doctor of Philosophy in the Social Sciences.
In 1968 he started his academic career as Assistant Professor at the Tilburg University. After his graduation in 1977 he was appointed Professor of Political science at the University of Twente, where he served the rest of academic career. He was Dean of the faculty of Political science in the years 1985-1987 and 1993-1993.
Over the years he has been Visiting Professor at the University of Michigan, Harvard University, Mannheim University, European University Institute and Australian National University.
In the years 1986-1987 and 2002-2003 he was fellow at the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (NIAS). His research interests include "Democratic theory, political representation, electoral research and legitimacy in the European Union.".
Member Dutch Foundation for Electoral Research (chairman since 1988), American Political Science Association, The Netherlands Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences (fellow), Dutch Society of Science.