René Hoksbergen studied social psychology at Amsterdam University and earned a Ph.D. on adult education . Employed at Utrecht University, senior professor since 1984. Visiting professor Institute of Psychology, Pune, India, 1998 till present  also on adoption. Between 1978-1982 he was personal advisor to the Minister of Education of India.

Emeritus professor, 2005, still working on contract basis at Utrecht University, director of the Adoption Department of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Main research projects:  History of adoption of children in Holland, motives of adoptive parents, attachment issues, evaluation of adoption of children from Thailand longitudinal study, causes of adoption failures, effects of neglect and abuse (Romanian adoptive children), foetal alcohol syndrome by adoptive Polish children.

He has written himself or together with colleagues about 30 books, and a large number of articles in scientific and other journals, in USA, Great Britain, Germany and France. He still gives lectures in many countries. Appears often for discussions concerning adoption issues on television, radio and others.