Hans Rocha IJzerman, Ph.D., is a behavioral scientist dedicated to understanding and addressing social isolation and loneliness. He serves as Founder and Director of the Annecy Behavioral Science Lab (ABSL) in France and is a Research Affiliate at the University of Oxford. His work sits at the intersection of psychology, technology, and public health, with a focus on how we measure—and meaningfully improve—social connection.

He leads global initiatives across Europe (including the EU's response against loneliness), the Global South, and North America that aim to reshape how we understand loneliness, including the development of personalized assessments and policy tools for governments and health systems. Through collaborations with researchers, clinicians, and technologists, he works to ensure that interventions are both evidence-based and tailored to the diverse ways people experience disconnection. His blog explores the science behind belonging—busting myths about the “loneliness epidemic,” highlighting new research, and offering insights into what truly helps people reconnect.

IJzerman is the author of Heartwarming: How Our Inner Thermostat Made Us Human. His writing has also appeared in the New York Times and the Huffington Post.